Afy Fletcher has been tested positive for COVID-19. (AFP image)
Fletcher, who has played 58 ODIs, is a vital part of the Caribbean side and his absence will reduce West Indies’ bowling options against the mighty Australia line-up.
- PTI
- Last Update:March 29, 2022 at 5:48 pm IST
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Veteran West Indies spinner Effie Fletcher has been ruled out of the Women’s ODI World Cup semi-final against Australia after testing positive for COVID-19, the ICC said on Tuesday.
Fletcher, who has played 58 ODIs, is a vital part of the Caribbean side and his absence will reduce West Indies’ bowling options against the mighty Australia line-up.
Mandy Mangroo, who is in New Zealand as a traveling reserve, has been included in the squad as a replacement for Fletcher and is in contention to play her first game of the tournament on Wednesday.
Fletcher has taken four wickets in three matches in the showpiece, with his best performance coming against Bangladesh when he scored 3/29 in 10 overs at Mount Maunganui.
Mangroo has played just one ODI for West Indies and came in the lead-up to the World Cup when he made his debut against South Africa in Johannesburg last month.
The 22-year-old scored 15 runs batting at number six on that occasion and registered bowling figures of 0/15 in three overs with his easy off-spin.
Mangroo is a temporary replacement for Fletcher.
A COVID replacement may be temporary, meaning that once the affected player recovers, he will be eligible to return to the squad in place of the traveling reserve.
Any replacement on the team requires the approval of the Event Technical Committee before the player can be officially included in the team.
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