Ben Stokes to captain replacement team against Pakistan after three players, four management test positive
England’s white-ball squads have been forced to self-isolate two days before the start of their ODI series against Pakistan following seven positive Covid-19 tests among the team’s players and management.
Three players and four members of management have tested positive for Covid. “In collaboration with Public Health England, Public Health Wales and Bristol Local Health Authority, those impacted will now observe a period of self-isolation from July 4 following the UK Government’s protocol on quarantine,” an ECB statement said.
“The remaining members of the party have been deemed close contacts and will also isolate.”
Chris Silverwood, England’s head coach who had been due to take time off during the white-ball series, will return to oversee the team. Both of Silverwood’s assistants, Graham Thorpe and Paul Collingwood, were part of the group now having to self-isolate.
Tom Harrison, the ECB’s chief executive, said: ”We have been mindful that the emergence of the Delta variant, along with our move away from the stringent enforcement of biosecure 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.
“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.”
The ECB had been keen to move away from the idea of biosecure “bubbles” this summer, amid a recognition of the toll such restrictions take on players and staff. England have a Covid compliance officer, Phil Davies, who has been advising the squad on what they are able to do in and around different venues, depending on local data.
There has still been a regular testing regime, which led to a number of match officials going into isolation after the T20I series against Sri Lanka after a positive test for Phil Whitticase, the match referee. Concerns around biosecurity also saw Sri Lanka send home three players – Kusal Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella and Danushka Gunathilaka – after an unsanctioned trip into Durham city centre.
England’s next opponents, Pakistan, have been been in managed isolation in Derby since arriving on June 25. The first ODI is due to take place in Cardiff on Thursday, with the ECB indicating there would be no changes to the schedule or ticketing arrangements.