England are due to play an ODI and T20I series against Pakistan. The 3-match ODI series was about to start from Thursday, 8th July but the England squad chosen to face Pakistan has been hit by a COVID-19 outbreak.
Three players and four backroom staff have tested positive for COVID-19 following a ‘breach of protocols’ and the entire England squad has been put into isolation. The whole 16-man squad and their management team, led by stand-in coach Paul Collingwood, will be forced to isolate for 10 days.
ECB will now name an entirely new squad for the Pakistan series with Ben Stokes leading the team. Ben Stokes who was nursing a broken finger will be rushed into action as England captain Eoin Morgan have also been forced to isolate.
A new squad for the ODI series will be announced soon which could give opportunities to fringe players like Joe Clarke and Ben Duckett.
England are still not sure how the breach in COVID-19 protocols happened and there will be further investigation to find the cause and stop it from happening again.
England vs Pakistan fixtures
ONE-DAY SERIES
July 8 – Match one (Cardiff)
July 10 – Match two (Lord’s)
July 13 – Match three (Edgbaston)
T20 SERIES
July 16 – Match one (Trent Bridge)
July 18 – Match two (Headingley)
July 20 – Match three (Old Trafford)
