India make late request to ECB for warm-up opposition as Virat Kohli and his side build up momentum for five-match test series against England
- India have made a request to the ECB to have warm-up opposition in England
- They face a five-match test series in England but want to add more preparation
- A plan is being formed for them to face a County Select XI over three days
The ECB are looking to accommodate a late request from India to alter their summer’s tour itinerary and provide warm-up opposition ahead of the five-match Test series against England.
India were originally due to face their own A team in two fixtures here but that was altered to two intra-squad games when their second-string trip was cancelled due to coronavirus issues in April.
However, they are now hoping to play just one such four-day contest and take on a County Select XI over three days in another – both to be played in the north-east where they will be based during the initial fortnight of the tour.
India’s team, led by captain Virat Kohli (right), want warm-up opposition before England Test
‘We are working through the operations and COVID-19 protocols to ensure we are able to deliver this and will confirm in due course,’ said an ECB spokesperson.
‘The Indian Test team will report to Emirates Riverside, Durham for their pre-Test camp on July 15 and will prepare at the venue until August 1 before heading to Trent Bridge, Nottingham ahead of the first Test starting on August 4.’
County fixtures for New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Pakistan were withdrawn for Covid reasons, with all the 2021 tourists expected to facilitate their own match practice in series build-ups.
Kohli and India’s Test players will arrive in Durham for their pre-Test camp on July 15