West Indies Tour of New Zealand, starts on a wrong note for the Windies
Windies team currently touring New Zealand for a three-match T20 series and a 2 match Test series have been found defying the quarantine protocols set for them in Christchurch.
The home board of NZ observed that the touring Windies party had repeatedly squandered the protocols of the bio bubble by socializing in the corridors of their hotel rooms and even going to the extent of sharing food between two different bio bubbles which had been segregated as per quarantine protocol.
Consequently, all the members of the touring party have lost the privilege to train for the remainder of the time they stay in the bubble, which is supposed to culminate on Friday.
What did the Ministry of Health, New Zealand have to say about this?
The Ministry of Health was quoted saying that they had conducted an investigation where members of the touring team were seen breaking protocols repeatedly. Plenty of such incidents were captured live on CCTV and the staff was witness to the scenes too. Events of group mingling, sharing food which are a strict no-no were seen happening within the touring party. The ministry wants to ensure that there is no risk to the public.
The ministry explained that the West Indies team was given exemptions from the observed isolation rules for the public in general. This meant they could train to prepare for the games as part of the touring calendar and were allowed to do that in larger bubbles. But despite being provided with such benefits the Windies team did not abide by the rules and hence they had to arrive at this tough decision.
Cricket West Indies on the other hand has also started an internal investigation to understand why did their team flout the protocol rules. They said that the board extends complete support to the stand taken by the New Zealand Ministry of Health.
When are the two teams arriving in New Zealand?
Windies and New Zealand players who took part in the IPL will be flying to New Zealand on Thursday and would be under isolation for 14 days. The quarantine is supposed to conclude a day before the commencement of the T20 series.
