West Indies players feeling homesick in New Zealand

Auckland, Jan 12 (IANS/CMC) Some West Indies players admitted that their minds were wandering elsewhere in the ongoing Twenty20 series against the New Zealand.

The West Indies started their tour of New Zealand on Nov 27 and have since played three Tests, five One-Day Internationals (ODI) and one T20 International. Their last match of the series — the second and final T20I — will be held in Wellington on Jan 15.

A number of their players are suffering from homesickness with six of the team having been in New Zealand for the whole tour. Opening batsman Kieran Powell said with some players being away in India beforehand, it has become a long time from home.

“This week will probably be the most difficult week of my life for sure, having been away from home for longer than anyone else on this tour. It takes a toll on anyone to be away from home for such a long time.”

Some of the players departed the Caribbean on Oct 20 for a one-week Elite Tour in Orlando, Florida, before travelling to India for two Tests and three ODIs.