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10-Sep-2021 17:36:00 GMT
Eng vs Ind - 5th Test, Old Trafford

Final England-India Test in Manchester cancelled due to Covid

Manchester: England's fifth Test against India at Emirates Old Trafford was cancelled after some of the tourists' backroom staff tested positive for Covid-19.

India said they were unable to field a team because they fear further cases spreading through the squad.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said: "We send our sincere apologies to fans and partners.

"We know it will cause immense disappointment and inconvenience to many."

The ECB statement initially said India, who lead the series 2-1, forfeited the final Test and the series was drawn 2-2. The statement was later amended to say: "India are regrettably unable to field a team."

The result of the series is unclear.

India head coach Ravi Shastri tested positive during their fourth-Test win, forcing bowling coach Bharat Arun, fielding coach Ramakrishnan Sridhar and physiotherapist Nitin Pate to isolate.

Another member of the backroom staff tested positive on Thursday.

India cancelled Thursday's training session, but a subsequent round of testing showed no positive results among players and it was declared that the Test would go ahead as planned.

However, the announcement to cancel the match was made just over two hours before it was due to begin at 11:00 BST on Friday.

Old Trafford was a sell-out for the first three days, with 22,000 tickets sold for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Another 13,000 had been sold for Monday's fourth day.

Lancashire chief executive Daniel Gidney said: "As a club, we are absolutely devastated about the late cancellation.


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