Due to be played on January 11, the second ODI of the three-match series between Windies and Ireland has now been postponed indefinitely. The news comes to light because of three fresh positive Covid-19 cases within the visiting camp, which is also battling injury concerns.
Apart from the three new Covid positive members, the Irish contingent is also down by two injured players, a situation that has diminished their chances of fielding a competitive playing XI significantly for what is a series part of the ICC Super League, acting as a direct qualification event for the 2023 ODI World Cup in India.
In a joint statement issued by Cricket West Indies and Cricket Ireland, it was confirmed that the second ODI has been suspended for now. The two boards will, however, explore “all possibilities” to rearrange the remainder of Ireland’s tour featuring two ODIs and a one-off T20I.
“CWI and CI are in discussions to review the match schedule and are working to explore all possibilities for the series to be completed,”
said the statement, with the next two days considered decisive for the series’ fate.
While the official release didn’t mention individual names, ESPNcricinfo reported, Ireland’s skipper Andy Balbirnie, wicketkeeper-batter Lorcan Tucker and interim head coach David Ripley tested positive ahead of the scheduled second one-dayer. This, after Simi Singh and Ben White were also declared Covid-19 positive before the series opener in Jamaica on January 9.
The report also mentioned that the round of tests conducted as a health measure on the West Indies contingent all turned out negative until January 10.
To pile on Ireland’s miseries for the tour, experienced off-spinner Andy McBrine and fast-bowler Mark Adair suffered injuries, leaving the think-tank with a massively under-strength squad to conjure up an XI for the remainder of the tour.
While Adair is down with a foot injury, McBrine is battling “minor symptoms” of concussion after being hit during the opening ODI.
The fate of the series now hangs in the balance, which is extremely unfortunate for the Irish, whose recent series versus the USA was also affected heavily by the coronavirus outbreak.
