London: In a sudden turn of events, at least seven members of the England Men's ODI team for the Pakistan series tested positive for novel Coronavirus. The England and Wales Cricket Board in an official statement on Tuesday said that three players and four management team members have contracted Coronavirus while other members of the contingent have been termed close contacts.
Due to this development, England will have to pick a completely new squad for the ODI series against Pakistan.
"Following PCR tests administered yesterday (Monday) in Bristol, The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) can confirm that seven members - three players and four management team members- of the England Men's ODI party have tested positive for COVID-19," the ECB statement read.
It has been decided that those impacted will now observe a period of self-isolation from July 4 following the UK Government's protocol on quarantine.
Meanwhile, the ECB have confirmed the Royal London ODIs and the Vitality IT20s against Pakistan will go ahead. Ben Stokes will return to England duties and captain the squad – which will be named in the next few hours. The series against Pakistan is to be played from July 8. England will play 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is against Pakistan at home.
Tom Harrison, the Chief Executive Officer of ECB said, "Overnight we have worked swiftly to identify a new squad, and we are grateful to Ben Stokes who will return to England duties to Captain. We also recognise the impact this news will have on our First Class Counties and their Men’s playing squads and thank them, along with our partners Sky and Royal London, for their ongoing support in dealing with this pandemic.’’