India likely to pull out of England tri-series owing to the rise in COVID-19 cases

India are likely to pull out of their proposed tour of England for a tri-series featuring the hosts and South Africa, because of the increasing number of cases in the subcontinent. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) are exploring other options in case India decline to travel to England to participate in the tournament, as per a report by The Daily Mail.



India were scheduled to tour England in late June, but it had to be postponed due to the restrictions that were in place due to COVID-19 pandemic. With South Africa set to travel to England in September, an alternative series involving all three teams was proposed. If India don't travel, England and South Africa could play a bilateral T20I and ODI series.



“Situation is bad, we have not been able to plan even any training camps for the team, even the selectors appointment is also pending for the Indian women team,” one senior coaching staff member of Indian squad was quoted as saying to Inside Sport. “Though it is yet to be officially discussed but we don’t see tour happening in these circumstances.”



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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to appoint new selection committee after the previous selection panel chaired by Hemlata Kala completed their term with the selection of the side for the T20 World Cup. BCCI had invited applicants for a new panel in January, but the positions have remained vacant since then.



England players resumed training on June 22 after the UK government lifted some of the restrictions imposed on outdoor sporting activities in light of coronavirus pandemic. All matches involving England women would be played behind closed doors in bio-secure environment.