England Likely to Play Series Against India in the United Arab Emirates
England are soon due to play India in a 5-match Test series, and it looks like their cricket matches could now be played in the United Arab Emirates as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Emirates Cricket Board recently signed a new agreement.
A Change in the Schedule for England
England were originally due to tour India this October to play three ODI games and three T20I matches before coming back next January for a five-match test series. However, due to the current pandemic, the first leg of the tour was postponed, and now the two legs are going to be combined into one. This means a lot of cricket crammed into a relatively short period of time, but it is great for us cricket fans as we get to watch 11 matches between two fantastic teams. It is just a shame that nobody will be allowed into the stadiums to create a great atmosphere.
A Change in Location
When it comes to confirmed cases of Covid19, India have the second highest number of cases in the world, so it would make perfect sense for these matches to be played elsewhere as the players' safety is paramount. The UAE is the perfect option as the conditions are somewhat similar to those that you will encounter when playing cricket in India. The signing of the agreement between the BCCI and the Emirates Cricket Board also serves to improve the cricketing ties between the two.
The UAE have hosted regular international cricket over the last decade or so as this is where Pakistan have been playing their home matches since the Sri Lanka team were attacked in Lahore in 2009. England played six matches here against Pakistan and lost five of them while drawing the other, so they will be hoping for a much better return when they play India.
IPL Currently Being Held in the UAE
The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League is currently being held in the UAE, and there will be a number of English players (as well as some stars of Scottish cricket) playing who will be looking to put in a good showing so that they are selected for the limited over matches against India once the competition has finished. The 13 English players that will be playing in this year's IPL are Tom Curran (Chennai Super Kings), Jason Roy (Delhi Capitals), Chris Jordan (Kings XI Punjab), Tom Banton (Kolkata Knight Riders), Ben Stokes (Rajasthan Royals), Jofra Archer (Rajastham Royals), Jos Buttler (Rajasthan Royals), Sam Curran (Rajasthan Royals), Moeen Ali (Royal Challengers Bagalore), and Jonny Bairstow (Sunrisers Hyderabad).
Not only will it be vital that they put in a good showing so that they make the squad for limited over matches, but the fact that they will be accustomed to the conditions in the UAE should help England out when it comes to taken on the might of the Indian team.
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