England cricketers playing in the Indian Premier League have effectively been ruled out of the first Test against New Zealand because of new travel protocols.
British passport-holders returning from India are now required to quarantine for 10 days in a Government-approved hotel so the players will not be ready for Lord’s on June 2.
The ECB agreed with their Indian counterparts that all centrally-contracted players would remain at the tournament for as long as their franchises require them, as part of negotiations they hope will lead to Indian players featuring in the Hundred.