JOE ROOT admits his players could have faced a “scary experience” if their tour of Sri Lanka had not been postponed.
England’s cricketers arrived back in the UK on Saturday and Root acknowledges they are relieved to be home.
The ECB bowed to the inevitable on Friday and cancelled the two-Test series that was scheduled to begin on Thursday.
Test captain Root revealed the team was distracted, worried and struggling to concentrate on cricket.
Before boarding a flight from Colombo, he said: “Looking at the players, you could see their minds were elsewhere thinking about people back home.
“Knowing we can go back, look after families and be with loved ones has put a lot of guys at ease.
“It was clear it was getting in the way of performance and affecting the mental well-being of the guys.”
Root added: “There were a number of different scenarios we could have found ourselves in that were pretty scary, to be honest.
“You think how things might have gone – being in isolation, disconnected from the team, without the security we would usually have around us at the ground or hotel.
“If one of the lads was to get it in these conditions – or a member of the public travelling – it could be quite a scary experience.”
An illness bug swept the England team in South Africa at Christmas with 11 players and several management confined to their hotel rooms. But this, clearly, was on a different level.
Any England player or backroom staff member who tested positive for coronavirus would have been turned over to the Sri Lankan government’s quarantine procedures.
In fact, even a guest in the team hotel testing positive could have meant the whole squad being isolated.
It is understood England medics were concerned by the quarantine arrangements. One venue was said to be a former leprosy hospital.
Even though only a handful of people in Sri Lanka are confirmed as having Covid-19, the potential problems would have multiplied by the arrival of an estimated 3,000 fans early next week. Most have cancelled their trips and are trying to recoup costs.
The team took precautions such as not shaking hands, creating a two-metre buffer zone at media huddles, not posing for selfies or signing autographs and generally staying close to their hotel when not actually playing or practising.
But the realisation – confirmed by Boris Johnson – that many more are expected die in the UK made the squad feel particularly far from home.
By day two of their second warm-up game, England were going through the motions.
Root explained: “Naturally there was a lot of talk in the dressing-room and it got to a stage where it overshadowed the cricket.
“Looking at how quickly things have happened at home, you’re thinking about family and friends who might be a bit more vulnerable and that’s hard when you’re a long way away.
There was an element of relief the tour was postponed. The right decision has been made.”
It seems certain the early weeks of the domestic season will be affected and England could face the prospect of playing some matches this summer behind closed doors. The First Test against West Indies begins at the Oval on June 4.
Root said: “It would be very strange if that was to happen but, if that is the case, then so be it.
“We are always supported extremely well and that has played a big part in our results in recent years. The supporters have a big impact on the way we play our cricket, we like to interact.
“We don’t know when we’ll play again. If you can’t have mass gatherings, there won’t be many training camps.
“I’m sure over the coming weeks we’ll prepare and do everything we can to be as ready as possible but, until we know more, it’s just a case of common sense. Look after yourself, condition well and be ready to start.”
The remaining two one-day internationals between Australia and New Zealand and three T20 matches have been cancelled after the Kiwi government imposed a 14-day quarantine period for anybody entering the country from Australia.
Aussies won the first ODI – played behind closed doors – by 71 runs.
Blackcaps fast bowler Lockie Ferguson, placed in isolation after reporting a sore throat following the game, tested negative for Covid-19 and returned home.
