NEWS
Follow UsSeptember 5 – Ravi Shastri tests COVID-19 positive; members of support staff put to isolation
On September 5 (Sunday), ahead of the play on day four of The Oval Test, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that head-coach Ravi Shastri was tested positive for COVID-19 during the flow Tests. The board also stated that the bowling coach Bharat Arun, fielding coach R Sridhar and Physiotherapist Nitin Patel have all been isolated in the wake of the events.
The players, however, tested negative as they took field on the fourth day of the fourth Test.
September 6 – Bharat Arun and R Sridhar also test positive for the virus
A day after Ravi Shastri tested positive, on Monday, the reports confirmed the fear that the duo of Bharat Arun and R Sridhar also tested positive for COVID-19, which then subsequently ruled them out of travelling to Manchester.
Yogesh Parmar took over temporarily as the head Physiotherapist, with the batting coach Vikram Rathour acting as the head coach of the side.
September 9 – Yogesh Parmar too tests COVID-19 positive
While Yogesh Parmar did take the field in the fourth Test, in the build-up to the fifth Test, the physio was tested COVID-19 positive, which came as an alarming news. India’s practice session, on the eve of the Manchester Test was cancelled, with a question over the status of the players’ safety.
The Indian team, had to undergo the COVID-19 tests, on Thursday before the scheduled first day’s play on Friday in Manchester.
September 9 – Sourav Ganguly expresses concern over the fifth Test
On the eve of the fifth Test, BCCI’s president Sourav Ganguly at a book launch was quoted as being unsure whether the Manchester Test would be played as scheduled.
"We don't know if the match will happen at the moment. Hopefully, we can get some game," said Ganguly at the book launch of 'Mission Domination' in Kolkata.
September 9 – Jos Buttler expects fifth Test to go ahead as scheduled
Amidst the news of the match being postponed, England’s vice-captain Jos Buttler came out stating that he expects the fifth Test in Manchester to go ahead as per schedule.
"I don't know too much, to be honest, at the moment. At present we are expecting the game to go ahead. Things are all fine in our camp. We are looking forward to the game," Buttler said during a media interaction when asked about the latest development.
September 9 – Indian players tests negative for the virus, game set to go ahead
In what was a big litmus Test for the fifth encounter, the Indian players came out negative in their COVID-19 tests, which assured that the possibility of the Manchester Test was high. However, everything still was on reports basis, given that there was no real clarity over the situation from either ends.
"All the players have returned with negative test," a senior BCCI source told PTI on Thursday (September 9).
September 10 – The day of the Test
Reports in the early half on Friday suggested that the first day of play of the fifth Test in Manchester between India and England could be postponed. However, there was no real clarity when it would be postponed or whether it was just restricted to first day’s play.
September 10 – ECB confirms the fifth Test as cancelled
After several deliberations and meetings, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed that the fifth Test between India and England stand cancelled. However, there was still not an update on what was the final score line of the series or how the cancelled Test would affect the World Test Championship (WTC) points system. In its first update, the ECB stated that the Indian team has forfeited the Test but later changed their stance.
"Following ongoing conversations with the BCCI, the ECB can confirm that the fifth LV= Insurance Test between England and India Men due to start today at Emirates Old Trafford, will be cancelled," the England and Wales Cricket Board said in their statement.
"Due to fears of a further increase in the number of COVID cases inside the camp, India are regrettably unable to field a team. We send our sincere apologies to fans and partners for this news, which we know will cause immense disappointment and inconvenience to many."
September 10 – BCCI offer the ECB a helpline
Following ECB’s statement, BCCI insisted that they are offering the ECB with a chance to reschedule the final Test at a later date. However, the BCCI stated that both the boards would work amicably to find a window to reschedule the Test match.
"In lieu of the strong relationship between BCCI and ECB, the BCCI has offered to ECB a rescheduling of the cancelled Test match. Both the Boards will work towards finding a window to reschedule this Test match,” BCCI stated.
"The BCCI has always maintained that the safety and well-being of the players is of paramount importance and there will be no comprise on that aspect.”
"The BCCI would like to thank the ECB for their co-operation and understanding in these trying times. We would like to apologise to the fans for not being able to complete an enthralling series."