England vs India: Warm-up matches in doubt after COVID-19 scare in the hosts’ camp

Seven members from the England team tested positive for COVID-19, just ahead of their limited-overs series against Pakistan. While this news not only hurt England badly, it also put the Indian team on the back-foot as they were supposed to play a warm-up match or two before the five-match Test series that begins from August 04.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), as of yet, have not been updated about the changed plan and the warm-up fixture is being assumed to go on as scheduled. Initially, the fixture was not part of the itinerary, but the BCCI had requested to have one due to India’s loss in the World Test Championship (WTC) final last month against New Zealand.

Although the ECB was a bit reluctant to provide India a warm-up game due to COVID-19 restrictions, it later agreed to arrange one before the first Test match. “We are aware of a request from the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) to play a three-day warm-up match against a County Select XI as part of the Indian Men’s Test team’s build-up to the five-match LV-Insurance Test series,” said an ECB official last week.

“We are working through the operations and Covid-19 protocols to ensure we are able to deliver this and will confirm in due course,” the official had added.

Team India players on break before the high-voltage series

With the England squad in isolation due to members testing positive, the ECB’s fear came true. A warm-up match would have been beneficial for India to get acclimatized to the conditions and try out a few possible combinations before the high-octane series begins. But for now, India have to wait as the ECB has not made any official announcement as yet.

Indian players are currently enjoying a well-deserved break of 42 days and are exploring the country with their families. Meanwhile, the England limited-overs squad will battle it out against Pakistan in six white-ball games. Apart from that, some Test players like James Anderson and Stuart Broad are playing county matches.