Picture Credit: BCCI/Twitter
The men’s and women’s cricket teams are set to leave for the England tour on June 2. Both the teams have currently assembled in Mumbai and are undergoing a hard quarantine of two weeks, ahead of the UK tour. The two teams will be leaving for England, for the first time in the same chartered flight on June 2. The Board had earlier requested the ECB to formulate the 10-day hard quarantine for the Indian teams, as BCCI wanted a 10 day window for a good amount of practice before teams play their first game in England. BCCI has now successfully negotiated for a 3-day soft quarantine for both the men’s and women’s cricket teams upon reaching England. ECB has relaxed the Covid-19 protocols for Team India, owing to which the teams can commence their practice from fourth day onwards.
The men’s team will head to Southampton to undergo their soft quarantine in the hotel, in the premises of the Ageas Bowl, for the WTC final against New Zealand which begins on June 18. Notably, the England and New Zealand cricket teams will also be in the same hotel. On the other hand, the women’s team will head to Bristol upon landing in UK, for their one-off test against England from June 16.
No clarity on quarantine norms by BCCI for the players’ families
The Board has requested ECB to consider the 3-day quarantine norms for the family members of the players as well. However, the England and Wales Cricket Board is yet to give a clearance on the same. Team India will be accompanied by their immediate families for the England tour who are also undergoing the mandatory quarantine in the bio-bubble in Mumbai along with the cricketers. BCCI is still in talks with the ECB to formulate the norms for the family members of the players.