Business as usual - Holder

DESPITE cricket facing an uncertain future due to the challenges posed by the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, Test captain Jason Holder said it was "business as usual" for him, as he ramped up preparation for next month's tour of England.

Holder was one of 13 Barbadian players named in a 30-man provisional squad, which resumed outdoor training at Kensington Oval here last week, following several weeks of a government-enforced lockdown.

In perhaps a sign of things to come for the sport at least in the short term, players were forced to train in small groups in order observe social distancing during practice, and also pay attention to new sanitisation protocols.

PREPARATION

While acknowledging the new measures were designed to protect players, Holder said it was also important not to allow them to hamper the focus on preparation.

"For me it is business as usual, to be honest. Yes, there are restrictions and restrictions in place for our safety but at the end of the day once you understand them, you just get on with it," Holder told CWI Media.

"I don't dwell on it, I wouldn't try to tinker with it. I think they're put in place for a reason and we all understand why they're put in place and safety must always come first.

"I'm just happy to be back out playing cricket, even although it's only a practice session, but I'm just happy to be back out doing something that I love and I really can't wait to get back on to the cricket field."

West Indies are poised to take on England next month in a three-Test series that was rescheduled from May due to the outbreak of the pandemic.

And the tour is expected to be the first of its kind played in "bio-secure" conditions behind closed doors, with strict health protocols in place to guard against the coronavirus.

For instance, players have been discouraged from physical contact when celebrating, sharing drinks or physical equipment, handing personal effects to the umpire and from using saliva when shining the ball.

- CMC