• Watch: West Indies arrive in UK

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    The West Indies have arrived in Manchester for their July Test series against England, after flying out to the UK on Monday evening in a groundbreaking moment for cricket.

    Jason Holder’s men are the very first team to conduct a tour during the Covid-19 pandemic after the whole squad tested negative prior to their departure in Antigua.

    ECB confirms dates for West Indies tour

    The West Indies will now operate in a bio-secure bubble for the tour’s duration, preparing for the series at the Old Trafford training facility for the next three weeks.

    They will then leave for Southampton where the first of three Test matches against England will take place behind closed doors at the Ageas Bowl.

    Holder said prior to his team’s departure on Monday that the tour of England will be ‘a huge step forward in cricket and sports in general’.

    ‘A lot has gone into the preparations for what will be a new phase in the game. I’m happy for the support and well-wishes we have been receiving from our loyal and dedicated fans once it was confirmed the tour would go ahead. This has been a source of great inspiration,’ said the captain.

    Following the first Test, the teams will head back to Manchester for the following two encounters at Old Trafford – with only the two venues identified as bio-secure.

    The West Indies, however, arrived without Shimron Hetmyer, Darren Bravo and Keemo Paul, who opted against travelling to the UK due to health concerns.

    Hetmyer, Bravo won’t tour with West Indies

    Fixtures:

    8 July – First Test, The Ageas Bowl
    16 July – Second Test, Emirates Old Trafford
    24 July – Third Test, Emirates Old Trafford

    West Indies squad:

    Jason Holder (c), Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Kraigg Brathwaite, Shamarh Brooks, John Campbell, Roston Chase, Rahkeem Cornwall, Shane Dowrich, Chemar Holder, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach.

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    Andre Huisamen