Saint John's, Jan 8 (UNI) Fast-bowling all-rounder Romario Shepherd has tested positive for COVID-19 and has been replaced with Keon Harding in the West Indies One-Day squad for the Bangladesh tour, Cricket West Indies (CWI) said.

Shepherd returned a positive COVID-19 test in his hometown Guyana, ahead of the West Indies' arrival in Bangladesh.

The 24-year-old Harding, who is replacing Shepherd, has played 17 First-Class matches in which he has returned 54 wickets, averaging 25.11. He was among the reserve players during West Indies' tour of England last year.

"In accordance with the established Government stipulations, Shepherd will remain in Guyana where he is undergoing a period of isolation that unfortunately will extend beyond the team's travel period," CWI said in a statement.

"Following established medical protocols, CWI started the first of a series of COVID-19 tests, on all members of the Bangladesh touring party on January 2 and following receipt of the results today, CWI can confirm that all other members of the touring party have returned negative results. All members of the touring party took their second and final pre-travel COVID-19 test yesterday," it added.

The loss of Shepherd will be a major blow to the West Indies, who were already without a number of stars including captain Jason Holder, who pulled out of the tour due to "Covid-19 related concerns or personal fears".

Holder, Kieron Pollard, Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer and Nicholas Pooran pulled out of the tour that includes three one-dayers and two Tests.

Beginning on January 20, West Indies is scheduled to play three One-Day Internationals and two Tests during the Bangladesh tour.

UNI AVK JW1636