The fifth and final Test between England and India was cancelled on Friday just a few hours before the toss amid the recent rise of COVID-19. While the entire world became divided, Lancashire county cricket club CEO Daniel Gidney was absolutely “gutted and devastated” with this.
The decision was taken due to health concerns among India’s players after the deadly virus outbreak in their camp as well. However, with this, England and Wales Cricket Board have faced a lot of financial issues and it could be down a further 20 million pounds ($27.7 million) with no Test at Old Trafford alongside the English county Lancashire, which won’t have the Test match next year when New Zealand and South Africa visit.
“Obviously there are significant financial implications. Obviously we have reputation issues as well, I mean, Old Trafford has a proud history of hosting Test cricket going back to over 100 years. We are absolutely gutted and devastated,” Daniel Gidney told Skysports.
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“I feel for all our staffs, suppliers, stakeholders, partners and sponsors and our guests today. But above all the ticket holders, everybody who has spent their hard money amid the difficulties of the pandemic over the last few months, who have been desperate to watch a fantastic game of cricket and unfortunately they can’t do that and on behalf of Lancashire cricket club, I am truly sorry that those fans have been left so disappointed,” he further added.
Daniel Gidney again shared that the situation was not in their control and they have promised a full refund to the ticket holders as well.
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“..all the fans and ticket holders will get full refund, we are just working through all the details with ECB at the moment. I can just apologise, very, very challenging all the disruption and inconvenience caused to the guests and ticket buyers. It is very challenging to go four years without fans here for a Test match, we are a venue here of over a 100 years, so it is difficult.. something which is a bitter pill to shallow but here we are, that’s what we need to do. We need to make sure that the future games at Old Trafford, we do our absolute best for our customers,” Daniel Gidney concluded.
