Paul Stirling, George Dockrell among three Ireland players to test positive for COVID-19

Paul Stirling, Shane Getkate and George Dockrell all registered COVID-19 positive tests and have been isolated, with a mandatory 10-day quarantine. Dockrell, however, had tested positive prior to travelling to the USA and has a recovery certificate from that infection, so may be able to join the squad earlier.

The players will likely re-join the squad in Jamaica around 9 January, dependent upon subsequent PCR tests showing negative results, although Dockrell may join earlier if a subsequent test comes back negative.

Richard Holdsworth, High Performance Director for Cricket Ireland, said:

“It is a challenging time for all, but the players have responded very well to operating within the Managed Environment over the last two weeks. A Managed Environment is different to a bio-bubble, and is an approach being used currently to try and find that balance between risk mitigation from the virus and impacts of sustained periods of isolation on the mental and physical health needs of players and staff.

“Part of this new approach is the ability to have several partners travel with the squad, however, these additional people are required to abide by the same testing and travel protocols as the players.

“However, the transmissibility of this latest strain of the virus has not spared us – nor indeed the USA squad nor the umpires in our recent series – and overnight three players have now tested positive. These are the only three Irish players to date that have tested positive since entering the Managed Environment, albeit we also have two players isolating as registered ‘close contacts’ of positive cases too. These latter players tested negative subsequently, but will need to do so again before they join the squad in Jamaica.

“We have seen sport all around the world negatively impacted by this virus still, and like all sporting organisations trying to continue with sport during the pandemic, we are adapting quickly and responding to the needs of those in our duty of care.

“We have an extended squad with us on this tour, so will be able to cope with these absences pending no further outbreaks. We are also working closely with Cricket West Indies to ensure that both parties are satisfied with the current arrangements in place.”

Balbirnie, McBrine likely to join Ireland squad after January 2

Harry Tector and Gareth Delany, in the meantime, have both successfully completed their quarantine periods and will travel to Jamaica with the squad tomorrow;

Andrew Balbirnie and Andy McBrine, previously being listed as close contacts of positive cases, will likely join the squad in Jamaica after January 2 as long as they demonstrate negative results prior to departure.

Mark Rausa (Head of Physiotherapy and Medicine), who is isolating, will likely join the squad in Jamaica after 6 January as long as he demonstrates a negative result prior to departure and Brendan Connor will fly out as further support staff cover.