Rawalpindi: Half of England’s Test squad and many support staff members are reported to have suffered illness ahead of the Rawalpindi Test, scheduled to start on Thursday, December 1st.
13-14 staff members including more than half a dozen players seemed to have struck down with a virus or a bug, as per ESPN Cricinfo. The England camp though confirmed that this is not the case of food poisoning, with the board already having a team chef Omar Meziane traveling with them for this tour. An ECB spokesperson further affirmed this is also not the case with the COVID-19 virus.
On Tuesday, a few of the players reported feeling unwell, with some even experiencing diarrhea and vomiting; those all were advised to take rest in their hotel rooms. Captain Ben Stokes and veteran seamer James Anderson are believed to be among those affected. Spinner Jack Leach was also reported to be suffering from the same but is said to be fine now. Other than them, former skipper Joe Root also had some symptoms on Tuesday but recovered by Wednesday morning.
Given the current situation, the England camp is hopeful of this virus to be a passing one with the first of the three Tests beginning within 24 hours. (Agencies)
