Harrison said the developments in the last few days have been disastrous and the assistant physio did everything possible to convince the intimidated Indian players. Yogesh ParmarTested positive COVID-19 on Thursday and refused to take the field.
“It’s a really sad day, my heart goes out to the fans. We are completely disappointed. Internationally, the sport gets an astronomical audience. At lunch yesterday it was clear that the level of anxiety in the Indian team was the problem.
“It was not an outbreak of COVID, it was a perception of what might happen after a physio tests positive. During the day, we tried to give as many different assurances that we could to rest the players, ” she revealed.
Following the cancellation of matches due to Indian players’ reluctance to take the field following COVID-19 cases in a contingency, the BCCI issued a statement saying that both the boards are working towards finding a place to reschedule the game at some other time. Will work
Harrison said the proposed rescheduling would be a one-off game rather than a decider for the series in which India are currently leading 2-1.
“No, I think it’s a stand-alone situation. We’ve been offered some other options, maybe (need to) take a look at them,” Harrison told Sky Sports. Stand-alone game. Or series-decisive.
“The half full version of this is that the prospects of playing a Test match against India at this ground as the focal point, let’s try to give on that. This may be the only good news that comes out on a day like today , “They said.
If the rescheduled match is a one-time engagement then India will be considered the winner of the series as it stands now, something that has yet to be officially confirmed.
The most likely window for a rescheduled game is July next year when India will be here for limited-overs assignments.
Harrison said “medical people who understand this virus” were brought in to speak to the players on Thursday, but they were clear about not playing the match. His concern was testing positive during the match, which led to and possible longer quarantine in England. Loss of playing time in IPL starting from 19th September.
head coach of india Ravi Shastri and three other support staff members were the first to test positive and are in isolation in London.
“Once you feel a sense of anxiety in the dressing room, it will be very difficult to reverse it. The physical and mental health of the players is important,” he added.
“People understand that when you pull a hamstring you can’t play, but when you have a mental health problem similar to a hamstring pull, it’s less well understood,” he explained.
“We are in a position now that we are not in a bio-bubble but in a managed standard of living, which is better for the players. This is not a COVID-free environment, but a COVID-managed environment.”
Harrison said the ECB would, however, be able to handle the financial hit caused by cancellations due to insurance cover.
“Our insurance covers cancellations for COVID. The fans will get their money back. Our finance department will handle it,” he said.
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