LONDON: The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is looking to invite Australia, Pakistan and Ireland for re-arranged series in the coming months following the West Indies Test series which is slated to begin on July 8.

West Indies are scheduled to arrive in England on June 9 and will play three Tests, starting on July 8, 16 and 24 respectively, subject to clearance from UK government.

“It’s an incredibly challenging but, at the same time, very rewarding project,” ECB’s director of special projects, Steve Elworthy said on Sky Sports Cricket Podcast’s The Cricket Show. “What we are trying to achieve here is something that has never been done before.”

Elworthy further said that the ECB has already been in touch with the cricket boards of Australia, Pakistan and Ireland to work out a schedule.

“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,” he said.

“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,” he added.

Elworthy had earlier revealed that the ECB is discussing with International Cricket Council (ICC) the possibility of introducing substitutes if a player tests positive for Covid-19 during the upcoming Test series against West Indies.

Currently, a like-for-like replacement can be made in a cricket match only when a player suffers from a concussion. For all other injuries and illnesses, a substitute fielder may be permitted, but that player cannot bat or bowl.

Published in Dawn, June 7th, 2020