Final India Test to be played at Edgbaston in July
England’s postponed fifth Test against India will be played at Edgbaston next July, 10 months after the original match was called off at the last minute due to Covid fears, saving around £30 million in broadcast revenue.
It is understood the England and Wales Cricket Board failed in a ticket insurance claim of around £10million to cover the losses from the postponement of the fifth Test, but by rescheduling the game next summer they have avoided having to pay broadcasters a rebate.
After weeks of talks between the two cricket boards, it was announced yesterday that India will return to finish off the series, rather than play a one-off game, but the match will be shifted to Birmingham from the original venue at Emirates Old Trafford.
Instead, Lancashire, who were not due to host a Test next year, will hold the second Test against South Africa from Aug 25, raising the possibility of a last England game at Old Trafford for James Anderson.
The India series will resume with England 2-1 down on July 1.
Squeezing the extra Test match into an already agreed and announced schedule has forced the white-ball series with South Africa to be put back six days.
It also means England will play 11 days out of 16 to complete the Test with India and play three T20s and three ODIS against South Africa.
England are also scheduled to play three Tests against New Zealand and South Africa next summer.
“We recognise that accommodating this extra match means a tighter schedule for the white-ball series,” said Tom Harrison, the ECB chief
executive. “We will continue to manage our players’ welfare and workloads through next year, while we also continue to seek the optimum schedule for fans, players and our partners across the game.
“I’m very grateful to all the venues involved for the co-operation they’ve shown in allowing us to reschedule this match.
“I’d also like to thank Cricket South Africa for their support and understanding to allow these changes to be possible.
“We would like to apologise again