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he Cricket Board of England and Wales (ECB) said on Tuesday that seven members of the England Men’s International One Day (ODI) team tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of the Pakistan tour of England.
“Following PCR tests administered yesterday (Monday) in Bristol, The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) can confirm that seven members – three players and four management team members- of the England Men’s ODI party have tested positive for COVID-19,” ECB said in a statement.
“In collaboration with Public Health England, Public Health Wales and Bristol Local Health Authority, those impacted will now observe a period of self-isolation from July 4 following the UK Government’s protocol on quarantine.
“The remaining members of the party have been deemed close contacts and will also isolate.” ECB further added in the statement.
The ECB has confirmed the Royal London ODIs and the Vitality T20s against Pakistan will go ahead. And Ben Stokes will be back and captain the squad, the squad is will be named in “next few hours”, ECB said
“We have been mindful that the emergence of the Delta variant, along with our move away from the stringent enforcement of biosecure environments, could increase the chances of an outbreak. We made a strategic choice to try to adapt protocols, to support the overall wellbeing of our players and management staff who have spent much of the last 14 months living in very restricted conditions.” commented, Tom Harrison, Chief Executive Officer.
“Overnight we have worked swiftly to identify a new squad, and we are grateful to Ben Stokes who will return to England duties to Captain. We also recognise the impact this news will have on our First Class Counties and their Men’s playing squads and thank them, along with our partners Sky and Royal London, for their ongoing support in dealing with this pandemic,” he added.
England is scheduled to play Pakistan in ODIs and T20Is starting with the first ODI on July 8 in Cardiff.