The BCCI’s request to move the five-Test series between India and England, which begins on August 4, by a week to satisfy the remaining 31 IPL games, has been rejected by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). Although the BCCI did not make any formal appeal, as stated by an ECB representative, it is understood that informal negotiations between the top brass of both boards have not yielded a positive outcome.
“The ECB has no intention of agreeing to BCCI’s appeal to transfer the Test series dates. I don’t think there’s any point in making a formal proposal now that they’ve made their position known informally “PTI spoke with a senior BCCI source who was briefed on the situation.
“From July 24 to August 21, the ECB will hold their first ‘Hundred.’ All is in order, including their broadcast agreements. As a result, there is no possibility of a change “According to the source.
The Indian team is anticipating a six-week break between the conclusion of the World Test Championship final against New Zealand, which will be held in Southampton from June 18-22, and the start of the England series.
The five-Test series kicks off in Nottingham on August 4-8, with Lord’s (August 12-16), Leeds (August 25-29), Oval (September 2-6), and Manchester to follow (Sep 10-14).
However, a launch in the last week of July, with less delays between Tests, will free up the whole month of September, allowing the BCCI to complete the IPL in the UAE from September 15 to October 15.
Former England captain Michael Atherton has stated that the ECB would not comply with the BCCI’s appeal.
“At this late point, it is difficult to see the ECB acceding to any future transition,” Atherton wrote in ‘The Times.’
“The fifth Test of the India series is scheduled for September 10-14 at Emirates Old Trafford.
Lancashire have now sold out three full days of pre-sale tickets, and with a good breeze between now and then, the match could be totally sold out.
“Moving the game to earlier in the season would cause logistical headaches for Lancashire, the ECB, and the England team, not to mention those fans who already paid money and intended to watch,” he argued in his post.
It is understood that the BCCI has already begun discussions with different boards about the window between September 15 and October 15, with the UAE being a strong contender for the 2020 edition.
“In the case of World T20, the BCCI will not make a decision right now,” the source said, “but for all practical reasons and a planned third wave, the likelihood of the global event taking place in the UAE after the IPL looks like a distinct possibility.”