Picture Credit: AFP
In a major development surrounding the Indian cricket team, it has now been confirmed that Team India will get to play a warm-up match prior to the five-match series from July 20. After the Men in Blue’s defeat in the ICC World Test Championship final between India and New Zealand, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has managed to convince the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for two tour matches.
It is further being learned that the players and staff have been asked to assemble at the Emirates Riverside, Durham for their Pre-Test camp by July 14. Moreover, it is being reported that once the team assembles in Durham both the tour matches are likely to be organised in Chester-le-Street, County Durham. While Team India are first scheduled to play a four-day fixture against an unnamed county side, they will then play a 3-day game against County Select XI.
Warm up squad will be decided soon: BCCI source
"The BCCI made a request to the ECB for a warm-up game and it will be played from July 20 to 22. The squad will be decided soon," a BCCI source told news agency ANI.
Meanwhile, confirmation of the warm-up match has also been received through British media reports.
"We are working through the operations and COVID-19 protocols to ensure we are able to deliver this and will confirm in due course," said an ECB spokesperson to Daily Mail.
"The Indian Test team will report to Emirates Riverside, Durham for their pre-Test camp on July 15 and will prepare at the venue until August 1 before heading to Trent Bridge, Nottingham ahead of the first Test starting on August 4," the source added.