GATLAND’S STILL ON HOLD
CRICKET ENGLAND v WEST INDIES BRITISH LIONS TOUR OF SOUTH AFRICA
WEST INDIES assistant coach Roddy Estwick believes Stuart Broad and James Anderson will be as dangerous as ever even without home support.
The tourists are in the UK ahead of their three-Test series which will be held behind closed doors. The first Test begins in Southampton on July 8 followed by two Tests at Old Trafford.
Estwick said: “We can’t nullify the crowd because it’s not there. The 12th man isn’t going to be there (for England) but I don’t think experienced bowlers like Broad (right) and Anderson will be too fazed by that.
“It’s your profession and you deal with what is in front of you.
You have to represent your country with pride.
“It’s a different situation but we’ve spent a bit more time as a group together. We have been well looked after, the spirit has been very good.
“We’ve got no complaints with the way things have gone so far. The excuses stop now and we have got to be ready.
“Getting them up to speed is difficult. We were in lockdown for two months but in the last two weeks in Barbados we were able to get some work done. The weather has been kind here to us too.”
A DECISION on a date switch for the 2021 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa will not be made before next month.
World Rugby’s meeting yesterday was notable for a collaborative approach between the hemispheres.
But there was no verdict on putting the Lions’ trip back to the autumn – which would allow the international calendar to be altered to help salvage the cash-strapped game’s finances. Lions boss Warren Gatland (below) revealed that “four or five potential scenarios” exist. “With the Lions it’s just about being a little bit flexible,” he said.
“If we have to go back a month or so, then we can cope with that if it’s the best decision for World Rugby in terms of a global season.”
A decision is now expected in mid-July, though South African Rugby have already looked at “a number of contingencies around scheduling”.
The eight-match tour to the home of the world champions is scheduled to take place between July 3 and August 7 next year.
South Africa Rugby chief executive Jurie Roux last night hailed the Lions tour to his country as the biggest thing in rugby after the World Cup. “We get the opportunity to play them only once every 12 years,” said Roux.
“The most important thing at this stage is that the tour is going on. There may be a date change, but we are able to manage that.”