Picture Credit: Twitter/@ECB
The much-awaited 5-match Test series between India and England couldn’t be completed this year as the 5th Test of the series was called off. The Manchester Test was indefinitely postponed after a sudden outbreak of COVID-19 cases in the Indian camp. Just hours before the toss, the England and Wales Cricket Board had made an announcement that fears over a further increase in COVID cases "India are regrettably unable to field a team" at Old Trafford for the 5th Test. Following this, the 5-match match series was paused in the favour of India (2-1) with BCCI and ECB coming to an agreement to reschedule the Test in 2022.
India vs England 5th Test to start on July 1, 2022
The 5th Test of the series has now been officially rescheduled to take place from July 1 to July 5 next year at Edgbaston which will decide the winner of the paused series that is led by India currently. The rescheduled Test could not be conducted at Manchester (the earlier venue) since the dates clash with prior planned events at the venue. Following this, the 5th Test has now been shifted to Edgbaston, Birmingham.
“We are very pleased that we have reached an agreement with BCCI to creating a fitting end to what has been a brilliant series so far,” mentioned ECB’s CEO Tom Harrison. BCCI secretary Jay Shah also thanked ECB for their understanding in finding an amicable solution over the discussions in the last two months to find a suitable window. “I am delighted that the England-India Test series will now have its rightful conclusion. The four Test matches were riveting, and we needed a fitting finale,” Shah added.
Notably, the Indian side is set to tour England for a limited-overs series in July 2022 and the rescheduled Test is set to take place ahead of the white-ball games.
Revised Schedule of India Tour of England, 2022
India vs England 5th Test (Rescheduled) – 1st to 5th July, 2022 at Edgbaston, Birmingham
India vs England T20I Series
1st T20I- 7 July, 2022 at Ageas Bowl, Southampton
2nd T20I- 9 July, 2022 at Edgbaston, Birmingham
3rd T20I- 10 July, 2022 at Trent Bridge, Nottingham
India vs England ODI Series
1st ODI- 12 July, 2022 at Kia Oval, London
2nd ODI- 14 July, 2022 at Lord’s, London
3rd ODI- 17 July, 2022 at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester