The fifth and final Test between India and England scheduled to begin today at Manchester’s Old Trafford Stadium has been cancelled, the England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed in a statement on Friday. 

“Following ongoing conversations with the BCCI, the ECB can confirm that the fifth Test between England and India Men due to start today at Emirates Old Trafford, will be cancelled,” The ECB said. 

It said that because of “fears of a further increase in the number of COVID cases inside the camp, India are regrettably unable to field a team.”

The fate of the fifth Test had been in the balance for a while, after head coach Ravi Shastri tested positive for COVID-19, following which three other members of the staff had to isolate. They included bowling coach Bharat Arun, fielding coach Ramakrishnan Sridhar and physiotherapist Nitin Pate. 

The team received another setback on Thursday when another member of their staff reportedly contracted the infection.

However, the match was expected to go ahead after all Indian players returned negative tests on Thursday. However, the match was eventually called off a little over two hours before toss.  

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“We send our sincere apologies to fans and partners for this news. We know will cause immense disappointment and inconvenience to many,” the ECB statement added. 

India were leading the series 2-1 after a comprehensive win the fiurth Test at the Oval, London, beating England by 157 runs. 

The ECB statement had initially said that India were forfeiting the final match and that the series will end up tied at 2-2. However, the statement has since been amended to say that India are unable to field a team, according to the BBC. 

The final result of the series is so dar undecided.