England Test captain Joe Root has admitted that the thought of a cricket-less summer has crossed his mind in recent weeks.

All professional cricket in England and Wales has been suspended until at least May 28 but recent statements from government ministers and health officials have put the prospect of any cricket happening in the UK this year into doubt.

Speaking on the prospect of a cricket-less summer, Root said: “It has definitely crossed my mind, it is a possibility. But I think we have to try to stay optimistic, try to take things day by day, not get too ahead of ourselves, we’ve just got to be ready for whenever that opportunity to play again is.”

England are due to play West Indies in June in a home three-match series that forms part of the World Test Championship. While the series could be rescheduled for later in the summer, it is becoming increasingly unlikely that the series will commence on its scheduled starting date, June 4th.

Although Root called the timing of the enforced break from the game “frustrating” – coming directly after three straight Test wins in South Africa and two encouraging warm-up fixtures in Sri Lanka – it has given him and his England team-mates a rare opportunity to spend an extended amount of time with their families.

In the two weeks since broader social distancing measures were brought into place by the UK government, Root has yet to pick up a cricket bat. “We’ve just got to stay fit, obviously can’t do much in terms of actual practice,” Root added. “It might be that my wife has to start giving me some throw downs in the back garden but until things become that drastic it will be simply, sit tight and wait. If that happens, then we’ll just have to adapt.”