COVID-19: England forced to pick completely NEW team against Pakistan ODIs after coronavirus outbreak

A new England XI has been selected as initial team forced to isolate due to three players and four backroom staff testing positive for COVID-19. All-rounder Ben Stokes has returned to side as captain.

England have been forced to select a new team for the Pakistan ODI series after seven persons – including three cricketers – have tested COVID-19 positive, pushing the entire squad into isolation. Three England players and four backroom staff have tested positive for COVID-19, with the rest of the squad deemed close contacts. The first ODI is on Thursday and will still go ahead. Ben Stokes will return to the England side as captain after several weeks out with a fractured finger, despite limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan initially saying it would be too soon for the all-rounder to be considered. The rest of the new team to face Pakistan will be named later on Tuesday. "Following PCR tests administered yesterday (Monday)  in Bristol, The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) can confirm that seven members -  three players and four management team members- of the England Men's ODI party have tested positive for COVID-19. In collaboration with Public Health England, Public Health Wales and Bristol Local Health Authority, those impacted will now observe a period of self-isolation from July 4 following the UK Government's protocol on quarantine. The remaining members of the party have been deemed close contacts and will also isolate," a statement by England Cricket Board read.