UK government permits Indian players' families to accompany them on England tour

India’s Men and Women cricketers will be able to travel to the UK with their families. The UK government has given the clearance for the players’ families to accompany them on the long tour. While the Virat Kohli-led side will play the WTC Final against New Zealand and then also play five Tests against England, the Indian Women side is slated to play a one-off Test, three ODIs and as many T20Is on the tour.

Family members of some of the cricketers are already in quarantine in Mumbai and the whole contingent is slated to  fly to the UK on June 3. The players will undergo quarantine in Southampton after which the Women’s cricketers will move to Bristol to feature in a one-off Test starting from June 16. However, the Men’s will stay put in Southampton where the WTC Final is set to be played.

According to ESPNCricinfo, the duration of hard quarantine in Southampton is not yet confirmed. A few days ago, it was reported that the players will be able to practice at the stadium during quarantine as well.

WTC Final given exemption from COVID protocols

Meanwhile, last week the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed that the UK Government granted an exemption to the WTC Final with regards to the strict COVID protocols in the country. “As per the bio-safety protocols established for the event, in line with UK government and Public Health England requirements, the Indian Men’s team will arrive in the UK on 3 June 2021 via a charter flight and carrying evidence of a negative PCR Test.

“Prior to travelling, the party will have spent 14 days in a bio-secure environment in India during which regular testing will have taken place. Upon landing, they will proceed directly to the on-site hotel at the Hampshire Bowl where they will be tested again before commencing a period of managed isolation,” the media release from ICC read.

The WTC Final between India and New Zealand is set to commence on June 18 while the five-match Test series between team India and England will get underway on August 4.