ECB, Cricket West Indies to hold talks about the possibility of a series in September: Reports

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket West Indies set to have further meeting on Friday (August 21) about the possibility of West Indies replacing South Africa for a tour in September, as per a report by The Telegraph. South Africa pulled out of the proposed series, on Tuesday (August 18), citing the international travel regulations that are in place in South Africa.

As per the report, Cricket West Indies CEO Johnny Grave and Clare Connor, ECB’s managing director of women’s cricket, will discuss the possibility of West Indies replacing South Africa for the limited-over series. West Indies women are yet to resume their training as a squad and players have been restricted to individual training depending on the norms of their respective countries.

The report also suggests the possibility of Ireland replacing South Africa in the case of West Indies’ unavailability. Cricket Ireland are said to have shown their interest in touring the country for the proposed series.

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England squad returned to training on June 22 and a 24-member squad have been training in a bio-secure bubble for the past few weeks. England players haven’t played any cricket since the 2020 T20 World Cup in Australia in February-March. If West Indies/Ireland series doesn’t materialise, the players will be released to play  in the forthcoming Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy for their respective regions.

Earlier, India and South Africa were scheduled to travel separately for a bilateral series against the hosts starting with India's series in late June, but it was postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic. A tri-series involving the trio was to be played in September instead, but India pulled out owing to the rising COVID-19 cases in the country.

Cricket resumed in England post the lifting of lockdown restrictions with the men’s side playing a Test series against West Indies in late July. England men also faced Ireland in a three-match ODI series and Pakistan in Test Series.