EDGBASTON TO HOST INDIA TEST IN SUMMER SHAKE-UP

ENGLAND will play the final Test of their hastily curtailed series against India at Edgbaston next summer. The fifth Test was abandoned in September on the morning it was due to start at Old Trafford when India pulled out, claiming concerns over Covid-19 spreading in their squad. That left them with a 2-1 lead and an argument with the ECB over whether they had forfeited the match, with both the governing body and Lancashire facing big losses. Now, with Old Trafford unavailable because of other events, the teams will play out the series in Birmingham, starting on July 1. Lancashire will then stage next summer’s second Test against South Africa that was originally scheduled for Edgbaston, starting on August 25. The only consequence for the ECB is a shortening of the window they had earmarked to allow England stars to play in the Hundred, with white-ball games against India starting six days later than scheduled on July 7. ENGLAND’S SUMMER TESTS: June 2-6 v N Zealand (Lord’s), June 10-14 v N Zealand (Trent Bridge), June 23-27 v N Zealand (Headingley), July 1-5 v India (Edgbaston), Aug 17-21 v S Africa (Lord’s), Aug 25-29 v S Africa (Old Trafford), Sep 8-12 v S Africa (Oval).