India tour to England: BCCI calls for a couple of warm-up games before five-game Test series against England.
India tour to England: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday called for a couple of warm games for the Indian senior team ahead of the India vs England five games test series.
BCCI secretary Jay Shah will reach out to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to organise two warm-up games for team India before both England and India advance further for the Test series, starting August 4.
It is learnt that the BCCI officials have already spoken to the Indian management and believe that those few tune-in games will be necessary to compete against high-quality English test teams in English summer conditions.
“Jay (Shah) will be speaking to ECB and its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tom Harrison to make an arrangement for two warm-up games before the five Test match series,” BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal told this newspaper.
“The secretary felt that the BCCI should request the ECB to give at least two warm-up games so that players can get in some good match practice before the series starts.”
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Team India were also not given a single warm-up game for the marquee ICC World Test Championship which cost them a lot as New Zealand bagged the Test Mace.
Skipper Virat Kohli after the match also showed his displeasure due to lack of proper match practice. India had just one intrasquad match while New Zealand advanced after having a two matches test series against England in England.
Furthermore, the BCCI and Indian management has always kept the idea of having warm-up games. the Indian board used to arrange the India “A” tours before the actual test series, however, the idea could not be executed properly due to the covid restrictions in the host nation.
Post the defeat against the kiwis, the Indian outfits are given at least three weeks rest to have quality time in the United Kingdom. The contingent will regroup after three weeks as they will train to take on England at Trent Bridge, Nottingham on August 4.
The fans will be back at the venues during the India-England test series, said ECB chief.
“We are looking forward to staging a memorable summer of men’s and women’s international cricket when fans are set to return to venues,” said ECB CEO Tom Harrison.
He further said that the ECB will welcome India “A” team after this summer once the covid restrictions are eased.
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India tour to England: BCCI calls for a couple of warm-up games before five-game Test series against England.
