Three players, four staff members test Covid positive, ECB announces new team for Pakistan series
What else will bother the team and the management more than the news that ahead of a bilateral series, seven people, including the cricketers and the staff members testing positive for the novel Coronavirus? The England Men's Cricket team experienced the same.
Ahead of the ODI series with Pakistan, the England team reported seven infections. As a result, the squad went into isolation, while the England and Wales Cricket Board announced a fresh squad for the Pakistan series.
The ECB announced that the Covid infections would not affect the Vitality T20 and the 50-over series with Pakistan. The management announced all-rounder Ben Stokes as the captain, while nine uncapped players were given a chance.
In a statement, the England Cricket Board announced that seven members, including three players and four staff members, tested positive for the Covid, and a new team was picked for the tour.
''We have been mindful that the emergence of the Delta variant, along with our move away from the stringent enforcement of bio secure environments, could increase the chances of an outbreak. We made a strategic choice to try to adapt protocols, in order to support the overall wellbeing of our players and management staff who have spent much of the last 14 months living in very restricted conditions,â Tom Harrison, Chief Executive Officer said in a treatment.
However, several people have expressed their concerns over opening batsman Alex Hales not being named in the revised squad, after the team members were forced to self-isolate post the new infections.
Cricketer-turned-commentator Michael Vaughan opined that selectors not considering Alex Hales in the team might be the end of his international career.
"So No Alex Hales ⦠that must be the end of his international career then ⦠find it very sad that someone who made a huge mistake but was punished can't be given another go ⦠we all mistakes every week ⦠!!! Those that say they don't are lying," Michael Vaughan's tweet reads.
Alex Hales, who has a good track record as the opener, hasn't represented the English team in the international game since 2019. After failing in a drug test prior to the 2019 edition of the World Cup, the England team has been sidelining Alex Hales.
Ahead of the ODI series with Pakistan, the England team reported seven infections. As a result, the squad went into isolation, while the England and Wales Cricket Board announced a fresh squad for the Pakistan series.
The ECB announced that the Covid infections would not affect the Vitality T20 and the 50-over series with Pakistan. The management announced all-rounder Ben Stokes as the captain, while nine uncapped players were given a chance.
In a statement, the England Cricket Board announced that seven members, including three players and four staff members, tested positive for the Covid, and a new team was picked for the tour.
''We have been mindful that the emergence of the Delta variant, along with our move away from the stringent enforcement of bio secure environments, could increase the chances of an outbreak. We made a strategic choice to try to adapt protocols, in order to support the overall wellbeing of our players and management staff who have spent much of the last 14 months living in very restricted conditions,â Tom Harrison, Chief Executive Officer said in a treatment.
However, several people have expressed their concerns over opening batsman Alex Hales not being named in the revised squad, after the team members were forced to self-isolate post the new infections.
Cricketer-turned-commentator Michael Vaughan opined that selectors not considering Alex Hales in the team might be the end of his international career.
"So No Alex Hales ⦠that must be the end of his international career then ⦠find it very sad that someone who made a huge mistake but was punished can't be given another go ⦠we all mistakes every week ⦠!!! Those that say they don't are lying," Michael Vaughan's tweet reads.
Alex Hales, who has a good track record as the opener, hasn't represented the English team in the international game since 2019. After failing in a drug test prior to the 2019 edition of the World Cup, the England team has been sidelining Alex Hales.