England and India will conclude the five-match Test series next year after it came to an abrupt end in mid-September. The fifth match of the Test Series has now been rescheduled and will take place in July 2022.
With India leading the series 2-1, the concluding fifth match will now be played from July 1, 2022, at Edgbaston, Birmingham. The decision has been taken following an agreement between the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
“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,” ECB CEO Tom Harrison said.
BCCI secretary Jay Shah is also relieved after the rescheduling of the Test and thanked ECB for their efforts to make it possible. “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 said.
“The BCCI recognizes and respects the traditional form of the game and is also mindful of its role and obligations towards fellow Board Members. In the last two months, both BCCI and the ECB have been engaged in discussions and our efforts were aimed at finding a suitable window. I thank the ECB for their understanding and patience in finding an amicable solution,” he added.
India's limited-overs tour for next year has also been revised after the addition of Edgbaston Test. The three-match T20I series will start from July 7 whereas the three-match ODI series will begin on July 12. The tour will conclude on July 17. It will be a tight schedule for England team as they will play the first match against South Africa after just a day's break.
Earlier, the Manchester was called off when India were unable to field a team due to Covid-19 outbreak in the Indian dressing room and fears of it spreading any further. Indian head coach Ravi Shastri, bowling coach Bharath Arun, fielding coach R Sridhar and physio Yogesh Parmar tested positive for the virus. On the other hand, their close contacts were put into insolation.
