Sam Curran tests negative for COVID-19 after falling sick, will resume training sessions

The news of 10 Pakistan players testing COVID-19 positive ahead of their England tour had stunned the cricket fraternity and questions were also raised over the feasibility of the series. However, as many as six players were tested negative in their second and third tests, giving the cricket fraternity a sigh of relief.

Similarly, England all-rounder Sam Curran, ahead of the much-awaited Test series against West Indies, gave the ECB a COVID-19 scare after falling sick. However, Curran was found negative in his tests and the board has allowed him to resume training ahead of the first Test.

Curran was self-isolating in his room at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton after feeling unwell and undergoing a test. 22-year-old Curran, despite testing negative, will be monitored by the team doctor after resuming the training sessions.

“The Surrey all-rounder, who had a sickness bug has recovered and is currently missing the intra-group three-day match, which ends today, has been self-isolating in his room at the Ageas Bowl. He will now return to training over the next 24-48 hours and will be closely monitored by the team doctor,” a statement said.

England-West Indies series will be played without spectators

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, England is going to be the first nation to kick-off the cricket scenario. Before locking horns with Pakistan, England are slated to host West Indies in a three-match Test series. Considering the current global scenario, England is taking the utmost caution to curb the risk of COVID-19 spread.

England will host the matches without spectators and the teams will be in a biosecure environment during the course of the series. Furthermore, the matches will also be played according to the new ICC post-coronavirus guidelines, which also includes the much-debated saliva ban.

The ECB, on their work to restrict the risk of COVID-19 transmission, said that the board had conducted 702 tests from June 3-23. These tests were conducted on players, match-officials as well as hotel and support staff where all had tested negative. The first Test between England and West Indies is scheduled to start from July 8, followed by the next two matches of the series in Manchester.