Pakistan vs England Rawalpindi Test – England Cricket sickness: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) & England-Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have confirmed that 1st test match in Rawalpindi will start as scheduled. The ECB confirmed that they are in a position to field playing XI for the match. 14 members of the England squad reportedly were down to viral outbreak in the England camp. The sick list included captain Ben Stokes as well. Before the start on Wednesday, only 5 members of the squad including Joe Root appeared for the practice session. But now the test will go as scheduled. Follow PAK vs ENG LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
Pakistan have announced their playing XI for Rawalpindi Test.
Introducing our playing XI! #PAKvENG | #UKSePK pic.twitter.com/VlucJsp4hR
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 1, 2022
England statement that they are in a position to field an XI.
The ECB has informed the PCB that they are in a position to field an XI, and, as such, the first Test will commence as per schedule today (Thursday, 1 December) at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.#PAKvENG pic.twitter.com/baafQaEWbF
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) December 1, 2022
PCB Full Statement:
The Pakistan Cricket Board and England and Wales Cricket Board today discussed the outbreak of viral infection in the England men’s Test team camp and unanimously agreed to delay the decision on the commencement of the first Test, which is due to start on Thursday, until 0730 Pakistan time tomorrow (Thursday).
The two boards made the decision based on medical advice from the England doctors, which revolved around the players’ health and welfare, agreeing that the England cricket team are able to select an XI for the first of the three ICC World Test Championship matches, which will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
The two boards also agreed, subject to the England players not recovering well enough to take the field on Thursday morning, then the Test will commence on Friday and will be a five-day match. In this scenario, the schedule of the second Test in Multan and the third Test in Karachi will remain unaffected and will be played as per original schedule i.e. 9-13 and 17-21 December, respectively.
Pakistan vs England: PCB & ECB to take call on Rawalpindi Test at 8 AM, 90% of England’s Test squad including Ben Stokes down with Virus: Follow Live Updates
Doctors initially advised the players to rest. That has put the Rawalpindi Test in jeopardy. Such is the situation that Joe Root had to attend the pre-match press conference instead of captain Ben Stokes on Wednesday.
While it seemed that it was a case of food poison, Joe Root ruled that out. England have brought in their own chef. Root confirmed that the chef is also down with the virus.
“I don’t think it’s food poisoning or Covid or anything like that. The thing is we have been carrying a chef away for a couple of years. If you look at the international teams, especially England, they all have their own chefs. We optimise ourselves and we see it from a nutrition point of view as well,” Joe Root said.
The PCB and ECB are in discussions regarding the commencement of the 1st #PAKvENG Test as some England players are down with viral infection. The PCB continues to monitor the situation, is in contact with the ECB and will provide further updates in due course.
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) November 30, 2022
Pakistan vs England: PCB & ECB to take call on Rawalpindi Test at 8 AM, 90% of England’s Test squad including Ben Stokes down with Virus: Follow Live Updates
What actually transpired in Rawalpindi?
- The England squad, including captain Ben Stokes, has been affected by a virus
- Around 14 members of the travelling party of players and coaches were advised to rest at the hotel on Wednesday.
- Only Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Keaton Jennings, Ollie Pope and Joe Root are at the ground ahead of the Test tomorrow.
- About half of the playing squad of 16 has been hit, with only five taking part in an optional training session.
- The first match in the three-Test series begins on Thursday
- Instead of captain Ben Stokes, it was Joe Root who attended the press conference before the match.
- The PCB and ECB are currently in discussion to postpone the 1st Test.
England Team manager Danny Reuben didn’t elaborate on the nature of the illness. He said that the players have been asked to rest. In the absence of Stokes, the PCB had to postpone the unveiling of the series trophy by a day. The unveiling will now be done ahead of the toss for the first Test,
The Three Lions have already named their playing XI for the first Test in Rawalpindi. All-rounder Liam Livingstone is all set to make his debut for England in Test cricket.
Pakistan vs England: PCB & ECB to take call on Rawalpindi Test at 8 AM, 90% of England’s Test squad including Ben Stokes down with Virus: Follow Live Updates
We have named our XI for our first Men’s Test against Pakistan!
🧢 A Test debut for @liaml4893
👋 Welcome back @benduckett1🇵🇰 #PAKvENG 🏴 pic.twitter.com/Clellsv9C4
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) November 29, 2022
All of the squad had trained on Tuesday. The virus outbreak could force England to change the team for the Test which had been announced on Tuesday. Lancashire all-rounder Liam Livingstone is due to make his Test debut Thursday, while opener Ben Duckett was recalled for his first Test in six years.
Joe Root’s press conference at the Pindi Cricket Stadium.
Watch Live ➡️ https://t.co/Gy8NqAU49O#PAKvENG | #UKSePK pic.twitter.com/gMh4KZD7lT
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) November 30, 2022
The virus outbreak could force England to change the team for the Test which had been announced on Tuesday. Lancashire all-rounder Liam Livingstone is due to make his Test debut Thursday. Opener Ben Duckett has earned a recall for his first Test in six years.
England are on their first Test tour of Pakistan in 17 years, following their T20 side playing seven matches in the country two months ago, taking the series 4-3. Problems with food and players becoming ill during the Twenty20 series led to the decision to bring a chef, Omar Meziane, who also worked with the England men’s football team at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and at Euro 2020. England and Pakistan will contest a three-Test series with the second in Multan beginning December 9 and the third in Karachi from December 17-21.
Pakistan vs England: PCB & ECB to take call on Rawalpindi Test at 8 AM, 90% of England’s Test squad including Ben Stokes down with Virus: Follow Live Updates
Editors pick
