WI vs IRE: 2nd ODI postponed due to rise in COVID-19 cases
The second ODI between Ireland and West Indies has been postponed after the emergence of three COVID-19 positive cases in the visitors’ camp. The game was set to take place on Tuesday, January 11 at the Sabina Park, Kingston in Jamaica, but Cricket West indies and Cricket Ireland, jointly, agreed to the postponement of the upcoming encounter.
If reports are to be believed, Irish skipper Andrew Balbirnie, wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker and interim head coach David Ripley contracted the coronavirus over the weekend. The development comes to the fore after Ben White and Simi Singh tested positive for the ungodly virus and was ruled out of the opening ODI, which took place on Saturday, January 8.
Decision on remaining Ireland-West Indies games to be taken in two days
Ireland’s ongoing tour of West Indies consists of two more ODIs and a solitary T20I and a decision on the remaining games will be taken in a couple of days’ time.
“CWI and CI are in discussions to review the match schedule and are working to explore all possibilities for the series to be completed,” the joint media release was quoted as saying in ESPNcricinfo.
The West Indies squad, in the meantime, has returned negative coronavirus tests. Both teams are currently following the rules and regulations of the Jamaican government in the pandemic. Leaving aside the COVID-19 cases, Ireland have also been faced with injury concerns after injuries to spin bowler Andy McBrine and fast bowler Mark Adair.
Even as Adair is learned to have sustained a foot injury and is currently under observation, McBrine showed signs of concussion after being hit in the opening ODI. In a delightful piece of news, all-rounders Shane Getkate and Paul Stirling have joined the squad after recovering from COVID-19.
The duo tested positive after Ireland’s ODI series against the United States of America had to be cancelled due to coronavirus. As far as the ongoing series is concerned, West Indies won the opening match by 24 runs and took a 1-0 lead in the series.
Shamarh Brooks became the Player of the Match, although he missed out on a well-deserved century. Kieron Pollard, Alzarri Joseph and Romario Shepherd also played their parts. Balbirnie and Harry Tector scored fifties for Ireland, but their efforts went in vain.
