Just IN: 7 Members Of England Cricket Team Test Positive For Covid-19
Published - 06 Jul 2021, 04:11 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 04:55 PM
In an alarming development, seven members of the England Cricket team– three players and four support-staff members- have tested positive for Covid-19.
The development was confirmed by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) via an official press release on Tuesday (July 06)
The Covid-19 infected members will now observe a period of self-isolation from July 04 following the UK Government’s quarantine protocols.
The remaining members of the England contingent will also isolate.
The ECB has, however, confirmed that the upcoming three-match ODI and T20I series against Pakistan will go ahead as per the current schedule.
All-rounder Ben Stokes is all set to return to national duties following an extended layoff due to an injury he suffered during the IPL in April.
The ECB has confirmed that Ben Stokes will be leading the squad during the Pakistan series, an indication that Eoin Morgan might be one of the three players to be infected with Covid.
”We have been mindful that the emergence of the Delta variant, along with our move away from the stringent enforcement of bio secure environments, could increase the chances of an outbreak. We made a strategic choice to try to adapt protocols, in order to support the overall wellbeing of our players and management staff who have spent much of the last 14 months living in very restricted conditions,” ECB CEO Tom Harrison said in the statement.
”Overnight we have worked swiftly to identify a new squad, and we are grateful to Ben Stokes who will return to England duties to Captain. We also recognize the impact this news will have on our First Class Counties and their Men’s playing squads and thank them, along with our partners Sky and Royal London, for their ongoing support in dealing with this pandemic,’’ he added.
The ECB can confirm that seven members of the England Men's ODI party have tested positive for COVID-19.
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The ECB will announce a fresh squad later today.
The England-Pakistan white-ball rubber will start with a three-match ODI series in Cardiff from July 08.
