I am constantly on WhatsApp for seven to eight hours daily: Michael Holding

The wrath of Coronavirus has severely affected the lives of lakhs of individuals across the globe. The pandemic has put a halt to all human activities and several governments have been forced to implement a lockdown in their respective countries. Apart from affecting the human existence, the pandemic has also taken a toll on all major sporting events across the globe.

Several cricketers– former and current– have been spending their time in self-isolation and the pandemic has changed their life routine upside down. Former West Indies fast bowler Michael Holding also opened up regarding the same and revealed how the COVID-19 outbreak has affected his life routine.

Holding revealed that his life has changed totally. The fast bowler-turned commentator is currently in the Cayman Islands where the restrictions are pretty harsh. Holding said that there’s a night curfew between 7 pm and 5 am unless one has prior permission. Also, the essential services including supermarkets are open six days a week but there are restrictions involved in that too.

“The essential services, like the supermarkets, the gas stations, pharmacies and the banks are open six days a week, but you can’t just go as and when you wish. You are permitted to use these services based on the letter your surname begins with: if it is between A to K, you are allowed on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; if it begins between L to Z, you can go on Tuesdays, Thursday and Saturdays,” said Holding to ESPNCricinfo’s Downtime Diaries.

“If you are caught on the road when you shouldn’t be out, you pay a fine immediately. It ranges from 250-750 Cayman dollars,” he added.

Michale Holding is currently spending his idle time on WhatsApp

Currently, Holding is spending his time being on WhatsApp for seven to eight hours daily to keep in touch with his friends across the world. The West Indies great said that he avoids watching the news as it makes him feel depressed.

“I am constantly on WhatsApp for seven to eight hours daily with my friends all over the world. What else is there to do? I am not going to watch TV all day. I don’t watch the news – that’s too depressing,” revealed Holding.

Holding also opined about the idea of playing cricket behind closed doors. According to him, it’s all for pleasing the broadcasters. Holding said that he can’t fault the administrations for scheduling cricket behind closed doors as it involves the financial condition of the broadcasters.

“A lot of administrations figure that they have to play some form of the game to satisfy their broadcasters. Because if the broadcasters don’t get what they pay for, they are going to demand their money back,” said Holding.

“So they have to try and play cricket behind closed doors, or whatever form they can get to play. I can’t fault them for trying to do that,” he added.