England’s fifth round against India at Emirates Old Trafford was canceled due to Covid-19 concerns at the tourist camp; Talks are continuing between the ECB and the Indian Cricket Control Board in an attempt to resolve the outcome of the canceled match.
A view of a message displayed at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester after India lost Test 5 against England over Covid concerns
The England and Wales Cricket Board will formally request that the world’s governing body rule on last week’s abandoned test match if a reordered match cannot be agreed.
England’s fifth and final test of England against India at Emirates Old Trafford was suspended just hours before the start of the game on the first day due to concerns about Covid-19 at the tourist camp.
Four members of India’s support staff tested positive, but their withdrawal was met with some cynicism as the lucrative Indian Premier League is due to restart this Sunday.
ECB Chief Executive Tom Harrison dismissed suggestions that the IPL had been prioritized over a prestigious Test Match, rejecting the idea that fear of missing the T20 tournament had caused unrest among the India team.
Talks are continuing between the ECB and the Indian Cricket Control Board in an attempt to resolve the outcome of the canceled match.
If the two governing bodies cannot reach an agreement, the ECB will ask the International Cricket Council to take a decision.
It is understood that the ECB has not prevented its players from appearing in the IPL.
India is scheduled to tour England again next summer for three one-day internationals and three T20 matches and more games could be added, including a reshuffled test.
The outcome of the negotiations between the ECB and its Indian counterpart could have a significant influence on the allocation of points for each country in the World Test Championship.
India was 2-1 up in the test series, with England hoping to force a 2-2 draw with victory in a rearranged final test.
Under WTC rules, matches can be canceled, rather than lost, if the coronavirus has had a “significant impact” and the ICC will be asked to rule on this if the two nations fail to reach an agreement.
