England v Pakistan first Test unaffected by coronavirus restrictions in Greater Manchester

With both squads in a self-contained bubble at Emirates Old Trafford the clash is not in doubt despite the latest batch of measures

• Holder: England tour would help in trying times
• Spectator pilot scheme postponed on eve of Bob Willis Trophy

England and Pakistan's first Test at Emirates Old Trafford is still scheduled to go ahead despite the latest batch of coronavirus restrictions in place in Greater Manchester.

Separate households are now barred from meeting each other at home in the metropolitan area, east Lancashire and parts of West Yorkshire.

But with both squads self-contained in a bio-secure bubble, the ECB are confident the new rules will not affect the match, which gets underway on Wednesday, August 5.

West Indies played three Tests against Joe Root's team earlier this month in identical circumstances and it is hoped the Pakistan series - which moves to The Ageas Bowl for the second and third Tests - will pass without major incident.

The government confirmed the fresh regulations would take effect from midnight on Friday, July 31.

Additionally, further easing of lockdown restrictions from this weekend has been postponed amid concerns over the virus infection rate.

That has included the pilot scheme to allow fans back into sports venues, which has been put back by at least a fortnight.

Surrey and Warwickshire had hoped to welcome 2,500 fans for the first two days of their Bob Willis Trophy matches against Middlesex and Worcestershire.

Counties are also hopeful of fans being able to attend T20 Blast matches from August 27, but those plans are now uncertain.

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