Windies trio decline England tour selection

ST JOHN'S, Antigua (CMC):

Three Windies players have opted out of a 14-man squad named for the three-Test 'bio-secure' tour of England.

The squad announced early yesterday will be captained by Jason Holder and includes regular faces like opener Kraigg Brathwaite, Roston Chase, Shai Hope and Kemar Roach.

Jermaine Blackwood, dropped three years ago, has returned, as expected, after his heavy scoring in the recent Cricket West Indies Regional Four-Day Championship.

However, Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer, and Keemo Paul have turned down the opportunity to travel for the series being played amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which has already caused over 40,000 deaths in the United Kingdom.

Cricket West Indies said that it respects the three players' decision and none of them will face sanctions.

Batsman Nkrumah Bonner and fast bowler Chemar Holder are the two new faces in the 14-man squad.

The selectors have also chosen 11 reserves who will accompany the squad on tour, with Sunil Ambris and Shannon Gabriel among them.

SQUAD

Jermaine Blackwood

Nkrumah Bonner

Kraigg Brathwaite

Shamarh Brooks

John Campbell

Roston Chase

Rahkeem Cornwall

Shane Dowrich

Chemar Holder

Jason Holder (captain)

Shai Hope

Alzarri Joseph

Raymon Reifer

Kemar Roach

RESERVES

Sunil Ambris

Joshua Da Silva

Shannon Gabriel

Keon Harding

Kyle Mayers

Preston McSween

Marquino Mindley

Shane Moseley

Anderson Phillip

Oshane Thomas

Jomel Warrican