India tour of England, Ind vs Eng Series: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), after the World Test Championship debacle, has requested the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for warm-up matches before the five-Test series slated from August 4. India suffered an embarrassing eight-wicket loss against New Zealand in the WTC Final.
To avoid a repeat of such result, BCCI secretary Jay Shah will speak to ECB chairman Ian Whatmore and CEO Tom Harrison for a competitive warm-up game. According to a Cricbuzz report, BCCI has already sent a formal request to ECB and the final decision will be taken in a day or two.
India tour of England, Ind vs Eng: Initially, Virat Kohli and company was scheduled to play India ‘A’, who were also supposed to be in the UK for two first-class games at Northamptonshire and Leicestershire respectively. But the current COVID situation in the country and the travel restrictions, the plans have been shelved. Instead, a camp in Durham has been set up.
India Tour of England, Ind vs Eng Series: Kohli and Co to go on a three-week vacation
The touring party will take a three weeks break and will be dispersing to various parts of the country for holidays. They will gather for a pre-series camp at the Emirates Riverside n Durham on July 16 or 17, the Cricbuzz reported added.
India are due to play two, four-day intra squad games during their time in Durham. The ECB are currently making arrangements for the same.
However, the lack of match practice is a worry as intra-squad games do not give the competitiveness needed for top-class matches.
As per Cricbuzz report, BCCI is trying to get at least one first-class game arranged before the Test series.
“That doesn’t depend on us,” the India skipper said when asked about his team’s preparation for the England series. “We obviously wanted first-class games, which I believe have not been given to us. I don’t know what the reasons for that are. But yeah, other than that I think our preparation time will be ample for us to be ready for the first Test.”
India tour of England, Ind vs Eng: Challenges aplenty to organize the warm-up game
India squad will be in a bio-secure bubble once they join the camp in Durham. Moving the team from one place to another would be risky, and pose a higher threat of COVID-19 outbreak.
Moreover, a first-class warm-up game would have an impact on England’s domestic schedule. The end of July is a busy summer in the UK, with The Hundred and Royal London One Day Cup match ongoing.
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