England’s white-ball tour of India has been postponed.
The tour, which was due to take place in September and October, has been put on hold due to the coronavirus. The decision comes following discussions between the ECB and BCCI.
It had been seen as preparation for the T20 World Cup in Australia in October and November. However, the postponement of that tournament by 12 months meant further fixture reschedules could start to take place.
India and England are now in discussions about an all-formats tour from late January to late March instead. The talks will also include consultation on India’s Test tour of England in the summer of 2021.
ECB’s Chief Executive Officer, Tom Harrison, said: “Now that we have clarity regarding the postponement of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, it enables us to work with other boards to progress the vital task of optimising the international schedules in the challenging circumstances that we have all been having to address with the COVID-19 pandemic.
“International cricket between India and England is a highlight of the cricketing calendar and we look forward to working with the BCCI to firm-up the schedules for these eagerly anticipated tours as soon as possible.”
New schedule will be “comprehensive”
Jay Shah, Honorary Secretary, BCCI Secretary, added: “The BCCI and ECB are working closely to finalise the schedule as we move towards the resumption of cricket.
“The India-England series is one of the most anticipated contests in world cricket. The two teams compete hard on the field and provide some riveting moments.
“I am pleased with the way BCCI and ECB have managed the situation. The rescheduled tour is also being redesigned in a way to accommodate both red and white-ball format and will now be a comprehensive one.”
World Cup decision made tour less likely
The move follows recent news from the ICC that the T20 World Cup in Australia will be put back by 12 months.
The tournament was due to be held in October and November 2020 but will now take place a year later because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It will be held in October and November 2021 with the following T20 World Cup in India in-turn moved to the same months in 2022.
