India Likely To Play Select County XI Side Ahead Of Five-Match Test Series Against England

The Indian team currently on a break in London is expected to play a practice three-day game before the five-match Test series against England as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is likely to organize a match for them against a Select County XI from July 20 to 22.

While initially India was supposed to play a couple of practice games before the Test series, ECB scrapped that schedule after the COVID-19 pandemic raised its ugly head again in the UK. Then India was supposed to play intra-squad matches as they did before the World Test Championship final against New Zealand.

However, after losing the final to Kiwis in Southampton, one of the major reasons cited was lack of match practice before the match and this led to the Indian team management and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) requesting the ECB for a couple of practice games before the Test series which commences on August 4.

We Have Got What We Have Wanted: BCCI Source On Procuring A Practice Game Before England Tests

England will be launching The Hundred on July 21, and as a result, most England and county players are expected to be busy with the new white-ball tournament with their respective franchises.

“We are aware of a request from the BCCI to play a three-day warm-up match against a County Select XI as part of the Indian Men’s Test teams build-up to the five-match LV= Insurance Test series. We are working through the operations and COVID-19 protocols to ensure we are able to deliver this and will confirm in due course,” an ECB spokesperson told PTI.

Hence the Indian team management is seemingly happy with the arrangement as the request had gone late and was for only one match apparently.

“We have got what we have wanted. We can understand organising a tour game is difficult at this stage,” said a source connected to the team and added that the Indian side is also understanding of the constraints of the ECB.

The Indian players are currently on a break and will assemble in Durham for the pre-series camp on July 14. The first of the five Tests starts at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, on August 4.

“The Indian Test team will report to Emirates Riverside, Durham for their pre-Test camp on 15 July and will prepare at the venue until 1 August before heading to Trent Bridge, Nottingham ahead of the first Test starting on 4 August,” the spokesperson added.

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