New Delhi: Following the postponement of the fifth and final India vs England Test on Friday, Lancashire county cricket club CEO Daniel Gidney said he feels “gutted and devastated” as the cancellation of the series finale will have significant financial implications and also impact the reputation of the prestigious Old Trafford venue.
Just hours before the toss to take place, the India vs England Test finale was called off amid health concerns among India’s players following a coronavirus outbreak in their camp.
According to reports, the postponement will definitely prove costly for the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), which gets much of its revenue from men’s Test matches and could be down a further 20 million pounds ($27.7 million) with no Test at Old Trafford, and also English county Lancashire, which misses out on a Test match and is not staging one next year when New Zealand and South Africa visit.
“Obviously there are significant financial implications. 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,” Gidney told Skysports.
“I feel for all our staffs, suppliers, stakeholders, partners and sponsors and our guests today.
“But above all the ticket holders, have spent their money amid the pandemic over the last few months. They have been desperate to watch a fantastic game of cricket and unfortunately they can’t do that. At Lancashire cricket club, I am sorry that those fans have been disappointed.”
Gidney further admitted the situation was not in their control and promised a full refund to the ticket holders.
