BSP-15 England confirm West Indies Test series in July

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BSP-15

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England confirm West Indies Test series in July

LONDON, June 2, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – England will play three Tests at
home against the West Indies in July, subject to government clearance,
the England and Wales Cricket Board announced on Tuesday.

The first Test will take place at Southampton’s Ageas Bowl from
July 8-12, with the second and third Tests at Emirates Old Trafford in
Manchester on July 16-20 and July 24-28.

The series had been due to take place in June but was delayed
because of the coronavirus.

The West Indies, who agreed in principle to take part in the series
last week, are due to arrive in England on June 9 and will be based at
Old Trafford for a three-week period of quarantine and training before
travelling down to Southampton.

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) director of events Steve
Elworthy said: “Our main objective is to deliver a safe environment
for all stakeholders including players, match officials, operational
staff, essential venue staff, broadcasters and media.

“We are in daily dialogue with government and our medical team, who
have been incredibly supportive during this period. These are our
proposed dates and they remain subject to UK government approval.”

The series should have started at the Oval in south London on
Thursday, with the second and third Tests originally scheduled for
Edgbaston and Lord’s.

The ECB decided to move the matches to the Ageas Bowl and Old
Trafford for reasons of bio-security. Both grounds have on-site hotels
where players and officials can be closely monitored for signs of
COVID-19.

Edgbaston, in Birmingham, will remain a “contingency venue” and
will be used to stage additional training throughout July.

Last week the ECB announced it was pushing back the start of its
domestic season until August at the earliest.

But going ahead with international fixtures is seen as vital to
avoiding a financial black hole, with ECB chief executive Tom Harrison
warning a completely cancelled season could cost the board o380
million ($477 million).

Pakistan are due to arrive in England for a three-Test series later
in the season, with England also scheduled to play limited-overs
matches against Australia and Ireland.

The ECB said a decision on those matches and the women’s
internationals against India and South Africa would be made at a later
date.

BSS/AFP/MRU/2123hrs