-Four Officials, three Players found Covid positive out of England’s ODI Squad
Bureau Report
Karachi: The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed that seven members – three players and four management team members of England’s ODI squad have tested positive for COVID-19.
The squad underwent PCR tests yesterday in Bristol. The remaining members of the party have been deemed close contacts and will also isolate.
The impacted one now observe a period of self-isolation from July 4 following the UK Government’s protocol on quarantine.
The series between Pakistan and England will go ahead Ben Stokes will return to England duties and captain the squad – which will be named in the next few hours.
Incoming squad and support team members will follow PCR tests and bridging protocols to ensure safe entry to camp.
Tom Harrison, Chief Executive Officer, commented: ‘‘We have been mindful that the emergence of the Delta variant, along with our move away from the stringent enforcement of bio secure environments, could increase the chances of an outbreak. We made a strategic choice to try to adapt protocols, in order 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.”
“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.”
It must be noted that Pakistan will face England in first ODI of the three-match series in Cardiff on July 8.
