International Cricket is all set to emerge from the darkest shadows of coronavirus lockdown with England vs West Indies Test series starting from July 8 with all the matches to be played in a bio-secure stadium.
England will host the West Indies for a three-match Test series which will start on July 8 marking the comeback of International Cricket after a four-month break due to the coronavirus pandemic. The first match of the three-Test series will be played at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton & the other two matches will be played in Old Trafford in Manchester in a bio-secure environment. With no spectators, the audience will witness the matches on television with some changes like saliva ban & replacement of players who will display any COVID-19 symptoms.
A bio-secure environment is planned to prevent the spread of harmful coronavirus. With bio-secure venues for playing cricket matches, the ICC is aiming to minimize the risk of transmission of the virus from one person to another.
The ECB has planned to host the first test match in Southampton city & the next two matches in Manchester. Originally the matches were scheduled to be played at the Oval, Edgbaston and Lord’s. However, the matches were shifted to the Ageas Bowl & the Old Trafford amid the COVID-19 pandemic as both the venues have on-site hotels. The hotels that are within the bio-secure premises will make sure that no team bus or players step out of the secured area.
The West Indies squad will remain in quarantine for at least three weeks before the first Tets match is played. Other attendees like match officials, broadcasters, and other staff will have to adhere to the norms set by the ECB.
