This is the first time in my 36 years of watching cricket a series is hanging on the ropes for the decision by the ICC
. Yesterday the Indian team was cleared to play the match but today someone got positive test results and so is the reason they decided to not play and since we are going through a pandemic the ICC will rule this as an abandoned match or they will reschedule the match at a later time which i think is appropriate.
ECB has clearly said that the new rescheduled match would be considered as a one-off test and not the part of this series, so ideally India has won this series as of now, but I don't think any sort of felicitation would take place, so accept it or not but the whole series which gave us so many good matches has been wiped off due to the Pandemic, while BCCI claims that Covid is the reason for the postponement, ECB say that BCCI is giving IPL more importance that the bilateral commitments that it has made with ECB, if this remains the scene I won't be surprised if ECB stops its players from going to IPL this time.
My reading
- India was there for 4 months.
- There was no bubble, all info is available in public domain.
- Before the series BCCI requested ECB to schedule series bit early, more importantly requested to reduce 9 days gap between 2nd and 3rd test so that they can get all players for IPL in timely manner.
- ECB declined due to The 100 tourney.
- Damadji got covid along with staff
- Second Physio also got positive, this triggered the drama cause players were in contact due to obvious reason.
- Players got concerned due to health, family and IPL which is obvious because of big pay check (no one admitting tho lol)
- ECB don't want to look bad in their country, which is understandable hence "forfeited" statement but BCCI got a bigger $ick so ECB retracted the statement with in minutes.
- ECB lost around $30 million because of cancellation, concern was genuine but BCCI might have counter this argument by saying that $300 million (IPL, 1 full season is worth $500-$600 m) is more important.
- BCCI is not CSA, SLC (every body know what happend in South Africa and Sri lanka) so no question of arm twisting.
- ECB and BCCI officials are in bed together anyway, that's why they are part of PIG 3 club so there would be zero effect in their business relationship at all.
- Some English players already pulled out last year due to injuries and mental health.
Edit
Good article
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/sep/10/england-india-cricket-test-blame-game