A 26-year old Jamaica fast bowler, Marquino Mindley has tested positive for the covid-19 while participating in the Windies’ high-performance training camp in St Lucia, ahead of the upcoming home Test series against South Africa. He was named in the 30-man squad for the red-ball training camp. Mindley is reported to be asymptomatic and is sent into isolation in his hotel room; he will be allowed to return to training after two negative results.
For the time being, the training was suspended and it will resume on Monday. The 3-week long camp had commenced on May 16 in a bio-secure environment. Now the players will train in smaller groups at the Daren Sammy Stadium in St Lucia.
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In a statement regarding the same, Cricket West Indies said, “Following PCR Tests administered on Friday 21 May for all members of the West Indies men’s red ball training camp being held in St Lucia, Jamaican fast bowler, Marquino Mindley, tested positive on his second COVID-19 test. In accordance with the medical protocols established with the St. Lucian Ministry of Health, Mindley, who is currently asymptomatic”
It further added, “He will now self-isolate in his hotel room under the supervision of the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Medical Team until he returns two back-to-back negative results. All other members of the training squad and coaching team were re-tested and isolated in their rooms, with training canceled for the weekend. The squad will train in small groups starting on Monday 24 May, at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground.”
Mindley is amongst the fringe players of the Windies Test team as he has taken 84 wickets in 35 first-class matches. He was the highest wicket-taker for Jamaica in the 2019-20 first-class season, with 24 scalps in 6 matches at 22.66. The Windies will be hosting South Africa, Australia, and Pakistan in their upcoming massive home season, and in total will play 4 Tests, 3 ODIs, and 15 T20Is from June 10 to August 24.
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The entire summer will follow biosecure safety protocols, with players and team officials undergoing regular tests for Covid-19. It is yet to be decided whether fans will be allowed at the stadiums.
