Cancellation of final Test has not been done due to rescheduled IPL: ECB Chief

The day of September 11, 2021, saw a lot of uproars when the fifth Test between England and India got cancelled. The Manchester Test was all set to go before the morning hours saw reports of cancelling the match outright. The decision came on the back of few COVID-19 cases in the Indian camp and the ECB stated further that India would not be able to field a team in Manchester.

In the light of the same events, some reports added that India didn’t play solely due to the commencement of the second leg of IPL 2021. As IPL 2021 is all set to kick off on September 19, few reports added that India are not willing to push the dates of the final Test. However, ECB Chief has brushed off all these reports and added that the cancellation of the Test had nothing to do with IPL.

“This is not the situation which has been created by the rescheduled IPL. That’s not the case. This Indian cricket team are as passionate about Test cricket as fans in our country are and as our cricket team are as well. India simply felt that they got a point where they weren’t able to take to the field. That is understandable,” Tom Harrison told BBC Sport.

ECB chief opens up on rescheduling the final Test

It has to be noted that BCCI are closely working with ECB to find a suitable window for rescheduling the remaining Test match. He also underlined the fact that everything will be done by taking care of the mental health of players which is of prime importance at the moment. The length of tours especially in these testing times can affect the players and this is why management decided not to hurry up the talks.

“We are looking forward to making sure that we can reschedule this match to some point in the near future. Effectively whether that fifth match is null and void or whether it is actually regarded as something else, a forfeiture. I don’t know where that conversation goes, but it’s not one for today,” he added.