I don't understand why the Indian team refused to play. Every player tested negative; there's not much else you can do apart from that. Unless you quarantine the entire team every time there is a positive test in the camp, which is something even football isn't doing.
Still waiting for the details but didn’t all the Indian players return Covid negative? Then why is the ECB press release saying “..India are unable to field a team.. “
Edit-
Also what happens with the IPL now? Will that be delayed or canceled or played without the Indian players?
To be fair, it's a different thing to go on field for 5 days or go on field for 90 mins.
Regardless, whatever the circumstances, it's an extremely shit situation. ECB are well within their rights to have this series 2-2.
Although I guess it'll be postponed till next year.
This.I suspect it's because of the IPL that the Indian players want the match off, any positive cases would mean a 10 day quarantine and a delay to them starting the IPL.
You should go by the guidelines of the country you are in. Current UK guidelines state that close contacts do not need to isolate if they are fully vaccinated. Unless there were more positive tests that we aren't aware of yet.
Wasn't that bad. Was expecting to lose some overs today and potentially on the fifth day but the other three looked clear.What a shame. Although I think the forecast was pretty bad anyway so would have been a disappointing end to the series regardless.
Very disappointing it’s a cancellation rather than postponement, especially since they returned negative tests.
I suspect it's because of the IPL that the Indian players want the match off, any positive cases would mean a 10 day quarantine and a delay to them starting the IPL.
It was not just close contacts at the book launch, though. It was a crowded event with no masks on.
I read that this cancellation leaves the ECB £30m out of pocket, and they are currently in negotiations with the BCCI. Could this be why the test hasn't been declared as forfeit yet? India will be declared series winners if the BCCI agrees to cover some of the lost revenue?
Well they've all been tested multiple times since that event. And even played part of the last test after Shastri's positive test so I'm struggling to understand what's changed.
Status and money are two different things. A test series win has enormous privilege, but privilege doesn’t add to your bank account. The opportunity cost of missing the ipl is enormous for these guys.So the Indian players want to safeguard themselves to not jeopardise the IPL. Players came back negative so if they refuse to play then there can’t be any complaints about it being 2-2. Series wins in England don’t come about often and India have a chance to add to that historic win in Australia with a test series win in England, further cementing their legacy as one the best ever Indian test teams. Kohli and Shastri bang on about test cricket being the pinnacle, turns out the IPL is more important.
Well they've all been tested multiple times since that event. And even played part of the last test after Shastri's positive test so I'm struggling to understand what's changed.
Another positive test amongst the staff on Thursday. That could mean players testing positive later in the test - and the game having to be abandoned.Well they've all been tested multiple times since that event. And even played part of the last test after Shastri's positive test so I'm struggling to understand what's changed.
Well if you needed more proof of where the loyalty of cricketers lay when it comes to t20 versus test cricket.
The ECB need to demand a forfeit rather than a draw. There's no way a team should be able to get away with not wanting to play if there isn't even a single player who has returned with a positive test.
I don't think the last part is correct. If they are unable to fulfil a fixture, it's a forfeit I imagine no matter what compensation is offered.
I would agree with you, but this is cricket.
It would be helpful for the ICC to clarify matters. Otherwise England's tactic for the Ashes will be to go 1-0 up and then attend super spreader events to get the rest of the series cancelled.
Wasn't that bad. Was expecting to lose some overs today and potentially on the fifth day but the other three looked clear.
I would agree with you, but this is cricket.
It would be helpful for the ICC to clarify matters. Otherwise England's tactic for the Ashes will be to go 1-0 up and then attend super spreader events to get the rest of the series cancelled.
I suspect that BCCI will play a test match in England next year when they're going there for the ODI Series.
Also, it was obvious that IPL would be spoken about but I should mention that England pulled out from a series against South Africa six months ago, so there's definetely precedence there.
That'd mean that England will have broken the Aussie govt rules and therefore should forfeit. No rules were broken by Shastri etc although it was quite stupid of them.
Another positive test amongst the staff on Thursday. That could mean players testing positive later in the test - and the game having to be abandoned.
There were players who tested positive in the England/SA series, though.
That'd mean that England will have broken the Aussie govt rules and therefore should forfeit. No rules were broken by Shastri etc although it was quite stupid of them.
I just read that the World Test championship rules allow a Test to be abandoned due to COVID, so I suspect this will end 2-1. The ICC are liaising with the match referee about the outcome.
My point was to state that clear guidance here is needed, because if you get teams pulling out of a match without it being forfeit, hat sets a bad precedent which is open for manipulation.
Hopefully the ICC will clear things up.
Not sure if accurate but I read reports that the Indian team needed to take ECB clearance for the event and they did not.
https://www.news18.com/cricketnext/...esponsible-to-attend-book-launch-4187093.html
