Test Series To Go As Planned; No Official Request From BCCI To Advance Dates: ECB

Cricket Image for Test Series To Go As Planned; No Official Request From BCCI To Advance Dates: ECB (Image Source: AFP)

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Friday said it has not received any request from the Indian cricket board to advance the Test series so as to create a window for the completion of the postponed Indian Premier League (IPL).

A news report in ESPNcricinfo.com on Thursday said that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had approached ECB to advance the Test series by a week to provide September window for the IPL.

However, an ECB spokesperson told IANS, "We talk to the BCCI on a regular basis about a wide range of issues especially as we address the challenges of Covid-19, but have had no official request to change dates and are continuing to plan for the five-Test series as is scheduled."

There are 31 matches remaining in this year's IPL and the BCCI is searching for a window to complete the tournament.

India begin their Test series on August 4 and end the series on September 14.

The opening Test is in Trent Bridge from August 4-8. It will be followed by Tests at Lord's (August 12-16), Headingley (August 25-29), The Oval (September 2-6) and Old Trafford (September 10-14).

India are set to depart for England on June 2 in a charter flight. They begin the England tour with the World Test Championship final against New Zealand from June 18-22.