Protocol breach: West Indies cricket squad stripped of training rights

Thanks to the bubble and quarantine protocols, fans have cricket matches to look forward to while dealing with a pandemic

Major sports events were only able to return this year despite the pandemic because of protocols that could help lessen the risks of spreading the virus. In cricket, bio-secure bubbles and quarantine periods remain important to make sure that everyone will be safe from the virus.

Thanks to the bubble and quarantine protocols, fans have cricket matches to look forward to while dealing with a pandemic. Many believe that this could help uplift the spirits of people. Sports bettors are surely happy too now that T20 Cricket betting in India and other countries can now resume.

However, recently reported was a protocol breach from the West Indies cricket squad that resulted in them now not being allowed to train while in managed isolation. It is said that they are found to have breached rules around their 14-day quarantine period.

According to the Ministry of Health in New Zealand, CCTV footage from the team’s hotel showed that players were mingling in the hallways and are even sharing food. These activities violate the isolation regulations that are implemented for them to follow. However, the ministry also said that the incidents that occurred within the hotel were no danger to the public.

Based on what’s reported, no player left the quarantine facility. However, some of them might have socialized inside the quarantine facility and that alone is not allowed. Because of that, the players will be tested for the second time since their arrival in New Zealand. If the test results come out negative, the team may then be allowed to leave the isolation units on Friday to be able to travel to Queenstown for two warm-up matches where they will go against New Zealand A.

The chief executive of the West Indies, Johnny Grave, said in an interview with the media in New Zealand that what the team did was hugely disappointing. The players knew the protocol completely and they just completely broke that.

He said, “Here because the New Zealand Government has done such a good job with COVID, the carrot was for players to go through a normal tour. I’m disappointed that they would let themselves down and the team down and potentially put the tour at risk and the New Zealand public at risk.

“I don’t believe any team management has been involved. At this stage, I’m assuming that it’s only players... around four or five, but again I haven’t had that formerly communicated yet,” he said. He also explained that an investigation is already taking place and all players of the team will be interviewed regarding this.

Grave said that he does sympathize with the players because being in a bubble or quarantine can be very difficult. However, they have all been warned about the serious ramifications if quarantine protocols are breached.

He said, “We certainly made it very clear that if any player breached a quarantine facility ... that would be probably taken outside of our hands ... that would have resulted in a player being sent home immediately.”

The West Indies squad had to get a government exemption to be able to enter the country for their upcoming matches which are three Twenty20 internationals that would start on November 27. Two tests are set to begin on December 3 and the borders in New Zealand are only open to returning residents and citizens. 

The Director-General of Health Dr. Ashley Bloomfield also spoke about this and said, “As with other sports teams that have come to New Zealand, the West Indies cricket team were given certain exemptions from the managed isolation rules which apply to everyone else.

“This included being able to be in larger bubbles and train in preparation for their international games. It is a privilege to come here but in return, they have to stick to the rules. Keeping COVID-19 out of our communities and keeping our staff safe depends on it. They didn’t do that, despite agreeing to abide by the parameters of the exemption.”

The New Zealand Cricket is also already informed about the situation and they support the ministry’s actions. According to a spokesperson of the New Zealand Cricket, NZ Cricket will continue working with the West Indies team and management and relevant government agencies to ensure there is no repeat of these violations.”

The West Indies is the first squad that will undergo international tours during the pandemic. The squad was also involved in the first tour that followed a global sports lockdown when they were in quarantine in Britain. They were able to play in a bio-secure bubble in June and July.