Glamorgan opener Asa Tribe has been barred from joining the England Lions tour of the Caribbean after a visit to Kenya, due to concerns over a recent Ebola outbreak in east Africa.
Tribe, 22, is eligible to represent his native Jersey until he earns a first senior England cap. He played three List A games for the associate nation in Nairobi last month, and was due to join the England Lions squad in St Kitts and Nevis from there.
Entry ban and ECB statement
The outbreak of Ebola in Kenya, with nine confirmed cases including two fatalities, prompted the government of St Kitts and Nevis to impose an entry ban on recent non-national visitors to the country.
A spokesperson for the England and Wales Cricket Board said: “Asa Tribe was unable to enter Saint Kitts & Nevis, having recently travelled to Kenya. Saint Kitts & Nevis currently have a 21-day non-entry rule in place for non-nationals who have been in Kenya due to the Ebola situation in Kenya and seven other countries in Africa. Asa is back in the UK, and we are in touch with the relevant authorities.”
Travel disruption and series progress
After playing his final match in Nairobi on 27 October, Tribe intended to travel to St Kitts and Nevis using connecting flights. He had reached Paris before discovering the problem.
In his absence, England Lions began their T20 series with an eight-wicket victory over West Indies A on Sunday. Thomas Rew, captaining aged 18, struck an unbeaten 50 as England’s second string chased down a target of 99 in 10.1 overs.
Four T20s and three 50-over matches remain, all in St Kitts, with the last on 16 November. Tribe appears unlikely to make a late appearance on tour without a waiver.
