India vs England: Manchester Test cancelled due to COVID-19 outbreak, confirms ECB

The fifth Test between England and India at the Old Trafford in Manchester has been cancelled.

ECB’s statement reads, “Following ongoing conversations with the BCCI, the ECB can confirm that the fifth LV= Insurance Test between England and India Men due to start today at Emirates Old Trafford, will be cancelled.

“Due to fears of a further increase in the number of COVID cases inside the camp, India are unable to field a team and will regrettably instead forfeit the match.We send our sincere apologies to fans and partners for this news, which we know will cause immense disappointment and inconvenience to many.”

India cricket team’s junior physio Yogesh Parmar was tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday and the team had to cancel its practice session.

India cricket team’s junior physio Yogesh Parmar was tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday and the team had to cancel its practice session. AP

Parmar testing positive left the team without a physio with the main physio Nitin Patel already in isolation after head coach Ravi Shastri tested positive for COVID-19  during the Oval Test.

Apart from Shastri, bowling coach B Arun and fielding coach R Sridhar also tested positive and all three are in isolation.

According to PTI, all players of the Indian cricket team have tested negative for COVID-19 on Thursday and it looked like the Test will take place as per the schedule.