ECB denies reports of BCCI asking to prepone schedule for the Test series

The ECB has denied all the reports of the BCCI asking to prepone the schedule for the 5-match Test series. The Test series between India and England is scheduled to begin on August 4. The first match of the series will take place at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. The Lord’s, Headingley, Kennington Oval, and Old Trafford are the other venues for the remaining four matches. In the meantime, the ECB has claimed that there are no changes in the schedule. Thus, the matches will go ahead as per schedule. It was known that the BCCI made the request in order to complete the 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL). But, unfortunately, the tournament had to be called off because of the COVID-19 situation in Indian.

Team India set to fly to Southampton on June 02

The England vs India Test series is going to be conducted in a bio-secure bubble. The hotels have already been booked, and all arrangements are in place. Any changes to the plan will lead to rearranging all the arrangements. Furthermore, as The Hundred is being played in the Test venues, the fixtures will clash. However, it will be difficult for the England Cricket Board to agree to BCCI’s request as it will disturb the board’s plans. With the hotel bookings, bio-bubble arrangement, and ticket sales already done, the change in the schedule might affect the ECB financially.

The Indian cricket board called off the 14th season of the IPL after multiple players tested positive for COVID-19 in the camp. It is still not clear when the tournament will resume. However, several media reports suggest that the BCCI could conduct the remaining games of the IPL in September this year. The league is most likely to start before the ICC T20 World Cup. According to reports, the remainder of the tournament can also be held in UAE later this year. The governing body of world cricket, the International Cricket Council, is also considering hosting the T20 World Cup in case the ongoing COVID-19 situation remains severe in India.

All the Indian players bound for the UK tour are currently in quarantine in Mumbai. However, the entire team is set to fly to Southampton on June 02 before starting preparations for the much-awaited World Test Championship (WTC) final against Williamson-led New Zealand.

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