England v India fifth Test called off due to coronavirus outbreak in tourists' camp
September 10, 2021 08:00 MYT
The fifth Test between England and India at Old Trafford has been called off due to fears of rising coronavirus cases in the tourists' camp.
The start of the final match in the series had been in doubt after India cancelled a practice session on Thursday as a result of a member of their support staff testing positive for COVID-19.
England had been hopeful of the contest, which was due to begin at 11:00BST on Friday, going ahead as planned.
The statement initially said India had forfeited the final Test and the series was drawn at 2-2, but that was later removed. The International Cricket Council will now determine the outcome of the match and series result.
India head coach Ravi Shastri tested positive for coronavirus during last week's 157-run win at The Oval, which gave his side a 2-1 lead in the five-Test series, while bowling coach Bharat Arun, fielding coach R Sridhar and physio Nitin Patel isolated as a precautionary measure.
The overall number of positive cases climbed this week after another backroom staff member, reported to be a junior physio, also contracted the respiratory disease.
The entire India squad returned negative PCR Tests on Thursday, though any hopes of rescheduling the match appear unlikely given the start of the Indian Premier League on September 19, four days after the England series was due to finish.