West Indies - Australia ODI series to resume after players test negative

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has given a green signal to the West Indies - Australia ODI series after all 152 members, who were tested for Covid-19, returned negative results. Notably, the second ODI of the three-match series was postponed after a non-playing member from the hosts contingent tested positive for COVID-19, forcing the entire contingent of both teams into isolation. The second ODI will now be played on Saturday while the final ODI will take place on Monday, July 26. CWI, Cricket Australia, Government of Barbados officials and the Barbados Cricket Association mutually decided to modify the schedule.

“We are happy to be able to announce the restart of the CG Insurance ODI series at Kensington Oval tomorrow. We want to thank our counterparts at CA for their co-operation in this matter as we look to get the games going again,” CWI president Ricky Skerrit was quoted as saying, Sportskeeda reported.

“It has been a challenging two days and we have worked very swiftly and safely, following all the established medical protocols, to make sure that all necessary precautions are in place to ensure that we can go ahead to resume play safely, tomorrow. We will continue to monitor the situation and respond accordingly,” he added.

For Australia, Riley Meredith was set to make his ODI debut after he was included in the Australian playing XI, replacing Wes Agar. Meredith also played the five-match T20I series between the two teams which Australia lost 4-1. Post the ODI series, Australia will depart for Bangladesh where they will play a five-match T20I series. Australia are leading the three-match series 1-0 after a scintillating win by 133 runs in the first ODI.