India and England to play called-off Manchester Test in Birmingham in July 2022

India is scheduled to tour England again in July next year. While it is primarily a limited-overs tour, it would also include the called-off fifth Manchester Test from this year, which would now be played in Birmingham.

India and England were involved in an intense five-Test series in England this year in July-August. After four Tests, India was leading the series 2-1. However, a COVID outbreak in the Indian camp forced the Indians to pull out from the series, while the fate of the fifth Test, which was to be played at Old Trafford in Manchester, remained uncertain.

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England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) demanded International Cricket Council (ICC) to consider it as a walkover, which would have allowed England to level the series and claim insurance claim for the lost revenue from its television deal with Sky Sports. On the other hand, an abandonment would have led to the series and severe financial loss for ECB.

However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was adamant about honouring ECB with the remaining Test during its scheduled tour of England next year. After an intense level of discussions with the two parties, ECB has announced that the remaining fifth Test of the series would be played between July 1-5 at Edgbaston in Birmingham.

"Due to the complexities in the schedule, the fixture cannot be staged at Emirates Old Trafford owing to clashes with pre-planned events at the venue, which will leave insufficient time to prepare a Test pitch. Instead, Emirates Old Trafford will now host the second LV= Insurance Test against South Africa next summer, starting on August 25, 2022. This match was previously due to take place at Edgbaston," said ECB in a statement.

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The ECB has also stated that the spectators who had purchased tickets for the Old Trafford Test can retain the same for Edgbaston, while it would also announce the refund plan if a spectator wishes not to travel to Birmingham for the same. The rescheduling of the fifth Test means that the planned limited-overs series schedule between the two sides has been rejigged.

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Revised schedule for India's tour of England 2022
5th Test: July 1-5 (Birmingham)
1st T20I: July 7 (Southampton)
2nd T20I: July 9 (Birmingham)
3rd T20I: July 10 (Nottingham)
1st ODI: July 12 (The Oval)
2nd ODI: July 14 (Lord's)
3rd ODI: July 17 (Manchester)