England could take Australia 2017 cue by fielding two international teams on same day

ongoing coronavirus pandemic has led to postponement of several bilateral contests and or cricketing events across world. Even England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) recently postponed its entire 2020 domestic and international home season until furr tice as entire United Kingdom (UK) continues to remain under lockdown. According to reports, continuous impact of coronavirus might well lead to eir a compressed home season or an overall cancellation of events in England this year.

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England ODI captain Eoin Morgan ready for two matches on same day

England Test side toured Sri Lanka in March for a two-match Test series. However, series was halted and players were brought back to England amidst rising coronavirus concerns. To avoid or minimise furr dam to England’s upcoming international home summer schedule, limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan expressed his openness in staging two international fixtures on same day if required.

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While speaking in a conference call on April 1, Eoin Morgan said that he or “anyone else” for that matter, have never experienced such a situation before that could impact cricket both ecomically and financially. He added that in case of a compressed home season, prospect of England fielding a Test and ODI playing XI in different venues on same day could well be a “viable” option. Morgan also said that while players will be up for any opportunity to play cricket, situation of even staging a curtailed season looks “uncertain” at moment.

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Incidentally, Australian cricket team followed a similar route a few years ago due to a packed cricketing calendar. In 2017, Australia hosted Sri Lanka in a three-match T20I series between February 15 and February 22. In hindsight of home series, Cricket Australia picked an entirely different squad for Australia’s Four-Test tour of India that commenced on February 23. While Aaron Finch led Australia to a 41-run win against Sri Lanka on February 22, a Steve Smith-led Australian Test side locked horns against India a day later at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.

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England cricket team's original schedule for 2020 home season

Prolific Test scorer Joe Root leads England in Tests while Eoin Morgan leads pack in ODIs and T20Is. England’s international home season was originally slated to begin with a three-match Test series against West Indies on June 4, which would be followed by three T20Is and three ODIs against Australia in July. Pakistan cricket team were n scheduled to tour England for three Tests and three T20Is between July 23 and September 2. Three Lions’ home season would n be capped off with a short ODI series against visiting Ireland team from September 10 to 15.

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