India tour of England: Despite COVID-19 scare, Tom Harrison declares, ‘ECB will not impose strict bio-bubble for Test series’- Despite increasing cases of COVID-19 in England and India squad, ECB’s chief executive Tom Harrison has said that the governing body will not impose strict bio-bubble for upcoming 5-match Test series that will kick off on August 4. He said that the ECB will not impose strict bio-bubble for the well-being of England players which restricts their movements.
“We’re in a different scenario to 12 months ago or even six months ago really with respect to how we cope with Covid,” Harrison told Cricbuzz.
We’re really trying to learn how we live with it and create safe environments for people as opposed to bio-secure environments. There’s a huge difference between the two. Players are just fed up with bio-security and bubbles and that language we have become so used to using. It’s had such a detrimental impact on mental health for players, time away from families. We are just not able to operate that kind of environment going forward,” he added.
India tour of England: Despite COVID-19 scare, Tom Harrison declares, ‘ECB will not impose strict bio-bubble for Test series’
Among changes, players have been allowed to spend time with family, exercise outside hotels, allowing the crowds inside stadiums.
The remarks come even as Indian wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant and support staff have tested positive for COVID-19 while Wriddhiman Saha and other support staffs have been quarantined.
Last week, 7 members England squad tested positive ahead of the ODI series against Pakistan. It forced the ECB to send the entire England squad including captain Eoin Morgan and Joe Root into isolation. A second-string side led by Ben Stokes were named to play the 3 match ODI series as a replacement.
The number of COVID-19 cases has risen to a new peak in the last few weeks as UK relaxed coronavirus restrictions. On July 14, the country reported 42, 302 confirmed cases.
India tour of England: Despite COVID-19 scare, Tom Harrison declares, ‘ECB will not impose strict bio-bubble for Test series’
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