England to name entire new squad for Pakistan ODIs after seven test positive for COVID-19

England cricket team self-isolating after Covid outbreak

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England’s plans for the ODI series against Pakistan have been thrown into chaos after three players and four staff members tested positive for COVID-19. England will name an entire new squad for the series which starts on Thursday. Ben Stokes will be the stand-in captain, with the rest of the squad to be named at 11am this morning. Check back here at 11am for the announcement.

The ECB released a statement on Tuesday morning saying PCR tests that were administered on Monday have returned seven positive results.

All seven will have to self-isolate until July 4, with the rest of the squad deemed to be close contacts.

The series against Pakistan will go ahead as planned, with the first match in Cardiff on Thursday.

Lord’s will host the second match of the series on Saturday before the finale at Edgbaston on Tuesday.

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Tom Harrison, chief executive officer of the ECB, said: “We have been mindful that the emergence of the Delta variant, along with our move away from the stringent enforcement of bio secure environments, could increase the chances of an outbreak.

“We made a strategic choice to try to adapt protocols, in order to support the overall wellbeing of our players and management staff who have spent much of the last 14 months living in very restricted conditions.

“Overnight we have worked swiftly to identify a new squad, and we are grateful to Ben Stokes who will return to England duties to Captain.

“We also recognise the impact this news will have on our First Class Counties and their Men’s playing squads and thank them, along with our partners Sky and Royal London, for their ongoing support in dealing with this pandemic.”

Following the ODI series, England will continue their preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup later this year with three T20’s against the same opposition.

The series starts on July 16 at Trent Bridge, with Headingley (July 18) and Old Trafford (July 20) to stage the other two.

Stokes will make his first appearance for England since March 28.

The all-rounder has played for Durham in recent weeks after recovering from the finger injury he sustained playing in the IPL.

England came close to a double whitweash in their recent limited overs series against Sri Lanka.

Eoin Morgan’s side won the T20 leg 3-0 and were 2-0 up in the ODIs, and in a great position to win again, before rain washed out the final match at Bristol on Sunday.

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