The fifth Test between England and India at Old Trafford has been cancelled.
While all of India’s players tested negative for Covid-19 on Thursday, some reportedly refused to play on Friday after coming into close contact with physio Yogesh Parmar, who tested positive.
In a statement, the ECB said: ‘Following ongoing conversations with the BCCI, the ECB can confirm that the fifth Test between England and India men due to start today at Old Trafford, will be cancelled.
‘Due to fears of a further increase in the number of Covid cases inside the camp, India are regrettably unable to field a team.’
While the ECB initially said that India had forfeited the match, this line was then removed from their online statement.
India came into the fifth and final Test with a 2-1 series lead.
Nasser Hussain describes the situation as a ‘mess’ after the ECB confirm that England’s Test match against India has been cancelled because of Covid concerns. pic.twitter.com/hELpOPkYJH
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 10, 2021
?It's a real shame.?@markbutcher72 reacts to the news that the fifth #ENGvIND Test at Emirates Old Trafford has been cancelled due to concerns within the tourists' camp over Covid-19. pic.twitter.com/LNp4k7iFby
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) September 10, 2021
Photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images
