Cancelled 5th IND-ENG Test rescheduled. Details inside
Friday, 22 October 2021 (20:53 IST)
Dubai: The cancelled fifth Test between India and England due to an outbreak of Covid-19 within the travelling contingent, will be played at Edgbaston, starting next July 1.
The match has been fixed following an agreement between the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Old Trafford will instead host the second Test when South Africa travel to England in August.
"We are very pleased that we have reached an agreement with BCCI to create a fitting end to what has been a brilliant series so far," ICC quoted ECB Chief Executive Officer Tom Harrison as saying.
Apart from thanking ECB and WCB, he thanked Cricket South Africa for their support and understanding to allow these changes to be possible.
"We would like to apologise again to fans for the disruption and disappointment of September events. We know it was a day that so many had planned long in advance," Harrison added.
He also expressed gratitude to all the venues involved for the cooperation they have shown in allowing the rescheduling of the abandoned final Test match.
Harrison also said accommodating this extra match means a tighter schedule for the white ball series.
"Therefore, the ECB will continue to manage their players’ welfare and workloads through next year, while it continues to seek the optimum schedule for fans, players and partners across the game," he added.
BCCI Honorary Secretary Jay Shah said he is delighted that the final Test match is back which will have its rightful conclusion.
"The four Test matches were riveting, and we needed a fitting finale," he said.
"The BCCI recognizes and respects the traditional form of the game and is also mindful of its role and obligations towards fellow Board Members.
In the last two months, both the BCCI and the ECB have been engaged in discussions and our efforts were aimed at finding a suitable window. I thank the ECB for their understanding and patience in finding an amicable solution," he said. (UNI)
