India’s request to schedule a couple of tour games ahead of the five-match Test series versus England has been agreed upon by the England and Wales Cricket Board, reported Cricbuzz after confirmation from a top BCCI official.
The ECB’s agreement follows direct communication regarding the Indian team’s request from BCCI secretary Jay Shah to ECB chairman Ian Whatmore and CEO Tom Harrison.
The Cricbuzz report mentioned that a detailed schedule for the two tour matches is being worked out. The matches are likely to be played towards the end of July, with Durham emerging as the possible venue. The ground in Chester-le-Street is also set to host India’s pre-series preparation camp.
“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 team’s build-up to the five-match 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 said.
The ECB had earlier, however, mentioned that organising the tour games wouldn’t be possible given the restrictions amid COVID-19 pandemic and the lack of availability of county teams.
On break since the conclusion of the WTC final against New Zealand, Indian players will reassemble in Durham on July 14. They will stay in Durham and go through a camp at the Emirates Riverside Stadium till August 1, before shifting base to Nottingham ahead of the first Test starting August 4.
