What's new

Coronavirus; England switching West Indies Test series to Caribbean 'unrealistic'

MenInG

PakPassion Administrator
Staff member
Joined
Oct 2, 2004
Runs
218,123
Switching this summer's Test series from England to the Caribbean is "an unrealistic option", says Cricket West Indies chief Johnny Grave.

The three-Test series, set to start at The Oval on 4 June, is in doubt because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Grave is reported as saying a switch was a possibility but he told BBC Sport: "I have not had any discussions with England over whether we can host.

"It would be strange that England can't have cricket but the Caribbean can."

He added: "Realistically, without knowing anything about pandemics, if England can't hold cricket then it almost certainly means the rest of the world can't hold cricket either. I think it is an unrealistic option."

Grave did say the West Indies are being as "flexible as possible" to get the series played.

The ECB will discuss the possible rescheduling of the season at a meeting on Thursday.

England's Test tour of Sri Lanka was called off last week with captain Joe Root saying the decision was a "relief" because players were distracted, thinking about families in the UK.

The sporting calendar has been decimated by the pandemic with football's European Championship one of many events already called off.

The first Test in London is set to be followed by matches at Edgbaston and Lord's starting on 12 and 25 June respectively.

"I have been in contact with [England and Wales Cricket board chief executive] Tom Harrison a few times over the last week," Grave said.

"The only discussions we have had are, in principle, having flexibility over warm-up games, when the series would start and how many rest days [there would be].

"We have given the ECB assurances that we will be as flexible as we can. We have not had any discussion about not playing them in June.

"We have not had any discussion about playing them later in the English summer. We have not had any discussion about hosting the matches here."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/51963326
 
Also read somewhere that the Pakistan series vs England could be moved there.
 
If series is in West Indies, it gives them a better chance to win.

West Indies is unlikely to win in England.
 
Cricket West Indies (CWI) has offered England Cricket Board (ECB) to play their both home series against Windies and Pakistan at the Carrabin amid coronavirus crises.

West Indies are scheduled to play three Tests starting from June 4 in England, while, Pakistan are set to face England in three Tests and three T20Is from July 30.

As per Daily Mail, both ECB and CWI have held talks to reschedule their Test series in September. If playing the series in England proves unworkable, CWI have offered to step in for this series, and also for England's three Tests against Pakistan.

Although there are Covid-19 cases in the Caribbean, its impact there has been limited so far.

‘We have offered to host the series here if that is helpful,' said CWI chief executive Johnny Grave.

‘The ECB would retain all commercial and broadcast rights. This is not about us trying to take advantage of the situation. It's about the cricket community working together at a difficult time.'

The final decision on this matter is expected in ECB's meeting on Friday. Postponement to the County Championship and other matters will also be discussed in the meeting.

https://www.brecorder.com/2020/03/19/581534/west-indies-offer-to-host-england-pakistan-test-series/
 
No cricket will happen this year. India-Australia series will also get abandoned. We all are finished.
 
Pakistan vs England in the West Indies could favour Pakistan. England wouldn't last against Pakistan's two spinners on turning tracks.
 
Think West Indies assume they are on planet Mars! Corona is everywhere.
 
Grenada, Dominica, no cases. Grenada has closed its borders

Interesting - so now England and Pakistan will bring in those cases! or Will both teams go into 14 day isolation before entering WI?
 
Sports need to stop, this is a crazy thought of playing in the current circumstances anywhere in the world.
 
Sports need to stop, this is a crazy thought of playing in the current circumstances anywhere in the world.

This seems like an unnecessarily blanketed policy.

Obviously governments will need all the economic help they can get and live sports is a pretty good stimulus for that. It also goes a long way in keeping the public sane.

I'm sure it'll have to initially recommence in a limited way but if it can be done safely... then why not?
 
This seems like an unnecessarily blanketed policy.

Obviously governments will need all the economic help they can get and live sports is a pretty good stimulus for that. It also goes a long way in keeping the public sane.

I'm sure it'll have to initially recommence in a limited way but if it can be done safely... then why not?
The problemo is that mass gathering increases the risk of the virus spread..

This is a matter of life and death now.
 
All cricket this year will surely be cancelled now. Which is a pity, but the World Test Championship can be extended to accommodate this, and the T20 World Cup can be moved into next year. Life and public health are infinitely more important than sport.
 
Back
Top