Steve Elworthy expressed confidence in inviting Australia, Pakistan and Ireland for re-arranged series in England, following the announcement of the three Tests against West Indies which marks the return of international cricket.
Speaking on Sky Sports Cricket’s The Cricket Show, Steve Elworthy, ECB’s director of special projects, revealed discussions are ongoing to persuade the three teams who were scheduled to tour England this summer to follow in West Indies’ wake. The West Indies are set to play three Tests behind closed doors in a bio-secure environment in July, pending the UK Government’s approval.
“It’s an incredibly challenging but, at the same time, very rewarding project,” Elworthy said. “What we are trying to achieve here is something that has never been done before.
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“There has been a huge amount of work done. The West Indies are the first team to arrive here but, at the same time, we hope to have Australia, Pakistan and Ireland come this summer.”
Australia, Pakistan and Ireland were scheduled to tour England in July, August and September respectively, a calendar that has been affected by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. On June 3, West Indies announced a 25-member group that will arrive for the three Tests next week.
“We have been speaking to them, we’ve been in weekly communication with all of them but, in this particular case, more extensively with the West Indies because their Test matches are about five weeks away.
[breakout id=”0”][/breakout] “We’re in a really good place. We’re gearing up for next Tuesday – the chartered flight is due to land – and then it’s all systems go.
“We’re very confident and comfortable with the fact we’ve got a plan in place to deliver these bio-secure matches behind closed doors – in the most safe and secure way.”
