The fifth and last Test between India and England which was scheduled to start at Old Trafford in Manchester on Friday has been canceled within the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak within the Indian camp.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) mentioned in an announcement that it’s engaged on the rescheduling of the sport and can proceed talks with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
While the ECB mentioned that India was “unable to field a team” amid the Covid scare, the BCCI mentioned that canceling the Test was a joint choice of each the governing our bodies.
Till Thursday night, the ECB was hopeful of going forward with the match schedule, particularly after the primary set of RT-PCR assessments of the Indian gamers got here again adverse.
The second set of assessments for Indian gamers on Thursday night additionally got here adverse on Friday.
As reported by The Indian Express in its Friday version, the Indian gamers expressed their reluctance to play the match throughout a gathering on Thursday night when assistant physiotherapist Yogesh Parmar, a member of the crew’s assist employees, held the match. had examined optimistic on the eve.
The gamers stayed on the crew resort even on the morning of the sport. Over breakfast, skipper Virat Kohli, vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane and senior batsman Rohit Sharma had one other dialogue on Zoom, throughout which they supported the choice to not play, it’s realized.
Throughout all this, the BCCI was retaining in contact with their English counterparts, because the gamers waited to listen to from the board. Even when the match was just a few hours away, the crew was not sure whether or not they could be requested to play.
Finally, hours earlier than the scheduled begin, an ECB press launch confirmed the cancellation.
The launch was strongly worded – it mentioned that India would lose the Test. That would imply a win and a 2-2 sequence scoreline for England.
But in a short time, the ECB reworked the press launch. It now mentioned: “Following ongoing talks with the BCCI, the ECB can confirm that the fifth LV=insurance Test between the men of England and India, starting today at Emirates Old Trafford, will be cancelled.”
It added: “Due to the apprehension of a further increase in the number of COVID cases inside the camp, India are regretfully unable to field a team.”
After this it was launched by BCCI. However, it talked about postponement quite than cancellation, and talked about that as a call collectively taken by each the boards, a rescheduling may very well be on the playing cards.
“The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in association with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has decided to cancel the 5th Test match in Manchester during India’s tour of England for 2021,” the BCCI mentioned.
“BCCI and ECB held several rounds of discussions to find a way to play the Test match, however, the COVID-19 outbreak in the Indian team’s squad forced the decision to cancel the Old Trafford Test match,” it added.
On the potential of rescheduling, the discharge mentioned: “In return for the sturdy relationship between the BCCI and the ECB, the BCCI has provided the ECB the rescheduling of the canceled Test match. Both the boards will work in direction of discovering a window to reschedule this Test match.
According to sources, India will tour England for a limited-overs sequence subsequent yr and each the boards are exploring choices to incorporate the ultimate Test within the itinerary. In that case, the five-Test sequence, during which India are presently main by a 2–1 margin, survives and forfeiture is dominated out.
When the large display screen at Old Trafford displayed the ECB assertion, the sector was empty. However, some followers had gathered exterior the stadium. Both the ECB and the BCCI apologized to the followers, however the Indian board mentioned “the safety and well-being of the players will not be compromised.”
Assistant physio Parmar was monitoring a number of gamers together with Rohit, Cheteshwar Pujara, Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma throughout and after the fourth Test that ended on Monday.
Players have been unsure in regards to the future, on condition that the virus has an incubation interval of a number of days. According to the supply, his participation within the IPL could also be affected by a optimistic check in future; The second part of which is able to begin within the United Arab Emirates from September 19.
It is realized that the ECB is ready to lose round £20 million as a result of cancellation of the Test. If the matter just isn’t resolved amicably, the ECB might strategy the International Cricket Council with a proper grievance. However, the BCCI has underlined that there’s a “strong relationship” between the boards.
Head coach Ravi Shastri, bowling coach Bharat Arun and fielding coach R Sridhar examined optimistic for coronavirus in the course of the fourth Test at The Oval.
According to a BCCI insider, gamers have been requested to proceed self-isolation, as efforts are being made to pursue journey to UAE by chartered flight.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
