FORFEIT OR NOT? THAT IS THE QUESTION...

AT 9.39am yesterday screens at Old Trafford told fans that the Test was off and that India had forfeited the match. However, 40 minutes later the message had subtly changed with the word forfeit gone. Instead India were ‘unable to field a team’ due to Covid. A ‘forfeit’ would have handed England victory and a 2-2 series draw. Why the match was called off will also have a financial impact on the ECB, relating to insurance which wouldn’t cover Covid.