The deciding cricket Test match between England and India has been called off after a COVID-19 outbreak among the visiting team.

The fifth match was due to being at 11am this morning at Old Trafford, with the series poised at 2-1 to India.

But the visitors cancelled a practice session on Thursday ahead of the match after a member of their support staff tested positive for coronavirus.

Live COVID updates from the UK and around the world

Head coach Ravi Shastri also tested positive during India’s fourth Test victory at The Oval last week.

In a statement, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said: “Due to fears of a further increase in the number of COVID cases inside the camp, India are unable to field a team and will regrettably instead forfeit the match.

“We send our sincere apologies to fans and partners for this news, which we know will cause immense disappointment and inconvenience to many.”

Related posts:

No evidence Indian COVID variant can ‘get around’ vaccines, minister says Young people who have had COVID will get £5,000 for being deliberately re-exposed to the virus Super League offers the owners of its founding member clubs the one commodity they are currently denied Expect ‘knock on the door’ when you return from amber countries, Patel warns RAF evacuates almost 1,000 people from Kabul in last 24 hours, armed forces minister says Climate protesters block access to M25 for the fourth time in a week Princess Beatrice gives birth to baby girl, Buckingham Palace says Premier League decides against suspending Christmas schedule amid COVID outbreaks – reports Port security guard among seven arrested after 1.2 tonnes of cocaine found in banana shipment COVID tests for fully jabbed travellers to England to be scrapped from 11 February ‘Forgotten’ vulnerable patients being missed off eligibility lists for drugs to fight COVID Several injured after double-decker bus crashes into shop