London: The BCCI has requested England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to advance the five-Test series by a week from its present August 4 begin to give them a greater shot at completing the remaining 31 matches of the now-postponed Indian Premier League.
While nobody from BCCI has formally confirmed the event, former England captain and famend cricket author Michael Atherton has reported concerning the growth in ”The Times”.
“The Board of Control for Cricket in India has enquired about the possibility of moving the final Test of the English summer in order to make room to complete the postponed Indian Premier League,” the report mentioned.
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“Informal discussions have been had between the respective boards as cricket continues to grapple with a schedule ravaged by Covid.”
Indian workforce are taking a look at a possible hole of six weeks after the completion of World Test Championship closing towards New Zealand which is scheduled from June 18-22 in Southampton and begin of the England series.
The five-Test series begins with first match at Nottingham (Aug-4-8), adopted by Lord”s (Aug 12-16), Leeds (Aug 25-29), Oval (Sep 2-6) and Manchester (Sep 10-14).
However, a possible begin in the final week of July, with lesser gaps between the Tests would open the complete month of September in which BCCI can full the IPL both in UK or extra possible in the UAE.
Atherton additional wrote that ECB”s personal calendar in addition to these internet hosting counties, which have already offered tickets can be in a repair with this request from the BCCI.
“At this late stage it is hard to see the ECB acceding to any potential change and it is expected to hold its ground,” he reported.
“The fifth Test of the India series is due to be held at Emirates Old Trafford between September 10-14. Lancashire have already pre-sold three full days, and with a good wind between from time to time, would anticipate to promote the match out fully.
“Moving the game at this late stage to earlier in the season would create logistical headaches for Lancashire, the ECB and the England team, not to say those spectators who have spent money and planned to attend,” he reasoned in his article.
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The transfer may additionally have an effect on ECB”s bold ”Hundred” format together with England”s worldwide commitments together with white ball series towards Pakistan earlier than the India Tests. “It is easy to understand why India would enquire to see if the schedule can be changed. They complete the World Test Championship final against New Zealand on June 22 and are not due to play the first Test against England until the first week of August, six weeks later,” Atherton wrote.
“From India”s perspective it would suit them to move the end of the Test series to an earlier date at the end of July, to allow more space for a completion of the IPL in September.”
The IPL was suspended earlier this month after a number of instances of COVID-19 contained in the bio-bubble.
