Tom Harrison: It wasn’t the COVID outbreak, it was the perception of what could happen that caused the cancellation | Cricket News

MANCHESTER: Tom Harrison, CEO of England Cricket Board (BCE) “eviscerated”, said Friday it was Indian players’ anxiety over “what could happen” and not the COVID-19 outbreak itself same which had caused the cancellation of the fifth and final test here even though every effort was made to comfort the visitors.
Harrison said the developments of the past two days have been devastating and everything has been done to convince the Indian players, who were frightened by the positive COVID-19 test by physio assistant Yogesh Parmar on Thursday and refused to take the ground.
“It’s a really sad day, my heart goes out to the fans. We are absolutely disgusted. Internationally this game is getting an astronomical audience. It became clear yesterday around lunchtime that there was a problem in terms of anxiety level in the Indian team.

“It was not a COVID outbreak, it was a perception of what might happen after the positive physiotherapy test. During the day we tried to give as many different assurances as we could to comfort them. players. ”he revealed.
After the match was canceled due to the reluctance of Indian players to enter the field following COVID-19 cases in the contingent, BCCI released a statement saying the two councils will work to find support. ‘space to reschedule the match at another time.

Harrison said the proposed rescheduling will be a one-time game instead of being a decider for the series India is currently leading 2-1.
“No, I think it’s a stand-alone situation. We were given a few other options, you probably need to take a look,” Harrison told ‘Sky Sports’ when asked if he would be a standalone game. or the serial decision maker.
“The half-full version of the glass is that the prospects of playing a test match against India as the focal point on this pitch, let’s try to achieve it. That may be the only good news that comes out of a day like today, “he added.
If the rescheduled match is a one-time commitment, India would be considered the series winner as it stands, which has yet to be officially confirmed.
The most likely window for the rescheduled match is July of next year, when India is said to be there on a limited mission.
Harrison said “medics who understand this virus” were brought in to speak to the players on Thursday, but were clear not to play the game. Their concern was positive tests during the match which would have led to a longer quarantine in England and possible loss of playing time at the IPL starting on September 19.
Indian head coach Ravi Shastri and three other support staff were the first to test positive and are in isolation in London.
“Once you have that feeling of anxiety in the dressing room it would be very difficult to reverse that. The physical and mental health of the players is important,” he said.
“People understand that when you’ve pulled the hamstrings you can’t play, but when you have a mental health issue similar to a hamstring pull it’s less understood,” he said. -he explains.
“We are now in a situation where we are not in a bio-bubble but in a managed standard of living, which is better for the players. It is not an environment without COVID but an environment managed by COVID.”
Harrison said the ECB would, however, be able to handle the financial blow caused by the cancellation with insurance coverage.
“Our insurance covers the cancellation for COVID. The fans will get their money back. Our finance department will take care of that,” he said.