West Indies Cricket returns for the Sandals Tour of England 2020

BY KAYLA KARIM

One of the first live matches to return will be the Sandals Tour of England 2020 where the West Indies will defend the Wisden Trophy in three back-to-back Test matches. On July 8^th -12^th 2020, West Indies and England will play behind closed doors to ensure the maximum safety for all of the players.

West Indies players have all been tested for COVID-19 ahead of the tour, with the exception of Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer and Keemo Paul who declined the invitation to travel to England for the tour.

The West Indies squad will make their return in new training and playing kits during the Sandals Tour of England as a part of a new three-year partnership with Castore. The new kits feature lightweight performance enhancing fabrics and an ultra-modern maroon, dark blue and pink design that the players love, according to Stanroek News. The new partnership with Castore will supply the team ids for Test, T10 Internationals and One Day International games covering the men’s, women’s and age group from Under-15 level upwards. The new Test ‘whites’ will be revealed ahead of the upcoming Test series.

Fans will be excited to see their favourite players on the pitch, although the match will be behind closed doors, the players are just as happy to be back. Kemar Roach will face off against his fellow Barbadian, Jofra Archer .Despite these two being friends, Valkerie Baynes from ESPNCricinfo reports that, Roach admitted there is no room for friendship in the upcoming Test match.

“Jofra has made his decision and I think he’s done a fantastic job so far in his career but obviously there’s no friendships and stuff in this series…It’s all about winning and playing hard cricket so when we come up against Jofra I think we’ll devise a fantastic plan to counter him. I’m looking forward to that battle and we as a team are doing the same”

The fourteen man Test squad and list of eleven reserves are as follows: Jason Holder, Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Kraigg Brathwaite, Shamarh Brooks, John Campell, Roston Chase, Rahkeem Cornwall, Shane Dowrich, Chemar Holder, SHai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach.

The proposed match schedule is as follows:

• July 8-12: 1st Test at Ageas Bowl, Southampton
• July 16-20: 2nd Test at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
• July 24-28: 3rd Test at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester