12 WINDIES PLAYERS DECLINE TO TOUR BANGLADESH DUE TO COVID, OTHER REASONS

ST JOHN’S: Twelve players, including Test captain Jason Holder, ODI captain Kieron Pollard, and Darren Bravo, have declined to go to Bangladesh with the West Indies team on next month’s short tour due to Covid-19 related concerns or personal fears.

The Cricket West Indies (CWI) selection panel on Tuesday named the West Indies Test and ODI squads for the upcoming tour of Bangladesh. West Indies are scheduled to play three ODIs and two Tests in Chattogram and Dhaka.

“The following players declined the opportunity to tour due to Covid-19 related concerns or personal fears: Jason Holder, Kieron Pollard, Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer and Nicholas Pooran. Fabian Allen and Shane Dowrich are unavailable due to personal reasons,” a CWI statement said on Tuesday.

“The CWI Covid-19 policy allows any player to opt out of selection for an overseas tour, only when based on the player’s own safety fears or concerns. Such decisions will not impact their consideration for future selection,” it said.

The Test squad will be led by the experienced Kraigg Brathwaite, with Jermaine Blackwood as vice-captain. Former Trinidad and Tobago and West Indies A team captain, Jason Mohammed, will lead the ODI team with Sunil Ambris as vice-captain.

The West Indies touring party are due to arrive in Dhaka on January 10 and the series will run until February 15. West Indies are scheduled to play three ODIs and two Tests in Chattogram and Dhaka in a shortened tour.

Kavem Hodge, the right-handed top-order batsman, has earned a maiden call-up in the Test squad; while left-handed opener Shayne Moseley and all-rounder Kyle Mayers will be touring in the Test squad for the first time, after making trips to England and New Zealand as reserves this year.

Mayers made his T20I debut against New Zealand last month. Two players have earned their first call-ups for the ODI squad—Akeal Hosein, a left-arm spinner all-rounder; and Kjorn Ottley, a left-handed top-order batsman.

Roger Harper, CWI’s lead selector, said: “Kavem Hodge will be on his first tour with the team. He has been around for a few years and has made a case for himself and he now gets his chance. The fact that he also bowls left arm spin has certainly helped his cause. We also have Kyle Mayers and Shayne Moseley, who have both toured with the team to England and New Zealand as reserves, being selected in the Test Squad for the first time.”