Stringent bio-security measures are in place at the Ageas, where all players and support staff from both sides will be tested prior to entry into what is being called the "bubble"
England’s cricketers will begin the most unusual summer of their careers on Tuesday when they arrive at the Ageas Bowl to begin formal preparations for the Test series against West Indies.
A 30-strong group of players will check into the Hilton Hotel at the Southampton venue fully 15 days before a ball is bowled in anger in the three-match campaign.
Stringent bio-security measures are in place at the Ageas, where all players and support staff from both sides will be tested prior to entry into what is being called the “bubble”.
The England set-up will spend much of their first 24 hours in the facility in their rooms as they wait for the results of their Covid-19 test, with the first practice session not scheduled until Thursday.
From then on, the 30-man squad will be split in two, with half training in a morning slot and half in the afternoon. The England selectors will trim the group down at the end of an intra-squad match starting on July 1.
Though it has been confirmed that the practice game will be spread over three days, the precise format and the line-ups of the two sides have yet to be decided. It is anticipated that a larger-than-usual Test squad will be named: typically, England will name 13 or 14 players for a home Test.
The view over the bio-secure Ageas Bowl
Around 250 people, and likely no more than 300, will be permitted inside the Ageas Bowl.
This takes into account players, coaches, physios, medical staff, groundstaff, caterers, security personnel, technicians and media (in addition to broadcasters, the ECB are inviting 12 representatives of the written media - eight national newspapers, the website ESPNcricinfo, wire services PA and AFP, and a freelancer - to attend).
“‘Can this be done remotely’ is the first question I ask,” Steve Elworthy, the governing body’s director of special projects, who has presided over the logistics of the events, told The Cricketer. “If it can be, then people don’t necessarily need to be on site.”
Those involved in the staging of the Test will be advised not to take public transport to the venue.
Upon arrival, everyone will go through a screening process - similar to the drive-through Covid testing stations which have popped up across the country in recent weeks.
The venue will be split into distinct zones, earmarked by the corresponding colour on an individual’s accreditation, and transition between these zones will be banned.
An inner zone will house players, support staff, match officials and key media. In the outer zone, a series of separate areas will house caterers, cleaning staff, security and so on.
“Zoning is key to make sure different groups don’t engage,” says Elworthy. “We have to keep people separate within the lockdown venue.
Routine thermal scans will take place on a daily basis, sometimes on multiple occasions each day - these can be done passively. An occupational health support unit will be on site. Personal protective equipment will be worn by all security, cleaning, catering and media personnel, and the venue will be regularly deep cleaned.
West Indies’ touring party, meanwhile, completed their government-mandated 14-day quarantine period on Monday.
A Covid-19 testing station has been set up in the Ageas Bowl's car park
They will stage an intra-squad practice match at Emirates Old Trafford from Tuesday, involving all of the 25 players who flew over from Antigua on June 9.
The Windies are planning a second warm-up game closer to the first Test start date, which is intended to be first class.
“Our preparation, our practices have gone to another level from today,” head coach Phil Simmons said on Monday.
“We had a nice day off yesterday. We worked hard on Saturday when it was nice up here. It’s only two weeks before the first Test match and preparation has to go to the next level, so we’ve started that today.
“The aim (of the three-day game) is the same as if you were playing a four-day match against a county. The good thing about it is the quality of bowlers that we have here as part of the reserves makes it a worthwhile runout over the next three days because you will still have quality bowling at the other end, no matter which team plays against which.”
West Indies have got through the first two weeks of their time in the UK without picking up any new injuries.
“Touch wood, I think everybody seems to be A-Okay,” Simmons said. “The captain (Jason Holder) had a little thing with his ankle, but he seems to be all right today.”
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