NEWS
Follow UsThe England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) CEO Tom Harrison has said that it was not the Covid-19 outbreak within the Indian team that led to the cancellation of the Manchester Test, but it was a case of the players' anxiety over "what might happen" that eventually led the match being called off. He also added that if the Test was to be rescheduled, it would be a one-off match and not a series-decider.
Harrison added that it was clear at around lunchtime yesterday (September 9) that all was not well within the Indian camp, especially after Physio Yogesh Parmar tested positive for Covid-19.
"It's a really sad day, my heart goes out to fans. We are absolutely gutted. Internationally this game gets an astronomical audience. It became clear yesterday around lunchtime that there was a problem in terms of the anxiety level in the Indian team.
"It wasn't an outbreak of COVID, it was a perception of what might happen post the physio testing positive. Over the course of the day, we tried to give as many different assurances that we could to give comfort to the players," he revealed.
After the cancellation of the match, the BCCI issued a statement saying that they are working with the ECB towards rescheduling the match. However, Harrison says that the match will be a one-off Test and not a series-decider.
"No, I think it's a stand-alone situation. We have been offered a few other options, probably need to take a look (at those)," Harrison told Sky Sports when asked whether it would be a stand-alone game or the series-decider.
"The glass half full version of it is that the prospects of playing a one-off Test match against India as a focal point on this ground, let's try to deliver on that. It can be the only good news that comes out of a day like today," he added.
If the rescheduled match is a one-ff engagement then India would be deemed winners of the series as it stands right now, something that has not been officially confirmed yet. The most likely window for the rescheduled game is July next year when India would be here for a limited-overs assignment.
Harrison said "medical people who understand this virus" were brought in to talk to the players on Thursday but they were clear about not playing the match. Their concern was positive tests during the match, which would have led to longer quarantine in England and possible loss of game time at the IPL starting September 19.
India's head coach Ravi Shastri and three other support staff members were the first to test positive and are isolating in London. "Once you have got that sense of anxiety in the dressing room, it would be very difficult to reverse that. The physical and mental health of players is important," he said.
"People understand that when you have pulled a hamstring you cannot play but when you have a mental health issue akin to a hamstring pull, that's less well understood," he explained.
"We are in a situation now that we are not in bio-bubble but in managed living standards, which is better for players. It is not a COVID-free environment but COVID-managed environment."
Harrison said the ECB, however, would be able to handle the financial hit caused by the cancellation thanks to insurance cover. "Our insurance covers cancellation for COVID. Fans will get their money back. Our finance department will handle that," he said.