England-India fifth Test cancelled due to India Covid concerns

The fifth and deciding Test between England and India due to start on Friday has been cancelled due to Covid-19 concerns in the tourists’ camp just hours before the match in Manchester was due to start. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said fears over the coronavirus related to an outbreak among backroom staff had left the tourists unable to field a team at Old Trafford. Play should have got under way at 11:00 am local time (1000 GMT) but just over two hours before the start, the ECB announced the match would not take place. “Following ongoing conversations with the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India), the ECB can confirm that the fifth Test between England and India men due to start today at Emirates Old Trafford, will be cancelled,” an ECB statement said.