England scrap contingency plan

David Collier © Getty Images

England have scrapped their contingency plans following Pakistan’s assurance they will fulfil the one-day obligations of their tour.

During a hectic week of fall-out from the fourth npower Test forfeiture, the England and Wales Cricket Board began formulating plan B and West Indies were primed to fill in for the NatWest Series.

However, following Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shahriyar Khan’s confirmation to both English counterpart David Morgan and the International Cricket Council they have shelved thoughts of back-up opposition.

England had arranged to play an international XI in the Twenty20 match on Monday while West Indies confirmed their willingness to stop off on their way to a tri-series tournament in Malaysia.

In order to formulate a strong opposition Nottinghamshire and Glamorgan brought their one-day fixture forward by 24 hours, freeing up players including New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming.

“Our contingency plan has now been stood down following the unequivocal commitment from the PCB to fulfil the remainder of the tour and we now look forward to an exciting NatWest international Twenty20 at Bristol on Monday and the five-match NatWest Series.

“ECB has received outstanding support and co-operation from full member nations and counties,” said ECB chief executive David Collier.

“In particular I wish to express our gratitude to the West Indies Cricket Board, Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club and Glamorgan County Cricket Club in addition to our sponsors and broadcasters for their fulsome support of ECB’s contingency plan which was actioned to ensure that we could guarantee matches throughout the NatWest Series for spectators, television viewers and radio listeners.

“ECB also wishes to thank the 12 players who had agreed to play in the International XI and the management team who had been invited to support the International XI.”