India’s coach Ravi Shastri tested positive during the fourth Test, followed by bowling coach Bharat Arun and fielding coach Ramakrishnan Sridhar.

Team physio Nitin Patel was also placed into isolation after being identified as a close contact of Shastri.

A senior official from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) earlier this week criticised Shastri, captain Virat Kohli and other members of the team who attended a book launch at a packed event in London last Tuesday (August 31).

The English Cricket Board (ECB) said in a statement that following discussions with the BCCI, India would be unable to field a team for the fifth Test over "fears of a further increase in the number of COVID cases."

Yesterday, another member of India’s backroom staff tested positive for COVID-19.

However, the Test match had been due to take place as planned when no further positive tests were recorded.

The announcement that it would in fact be cancelled came little over two hours before it was expected to start at 11.00 am.

The ECB apologised to fans and partners, and said it understood that the news "will cause immense disappointment and inconvenience."

Its original statement suggested that India had forfeited the match, but this line has since been removed.

India lead 2-1 in the series after the fourth Test at the Oval, and the result of the cancelled final Test is yet to be confirmed.

Daniel Gidney, the chief executive of Lancashire Cricket Club which is based at Old Trafford, said it was "absolutely devastated" that the Test was cancelled with such short notice.

He added: "You can’t overestimate the work that goes into preparing for a five-day Test Match and I’d like to thank all our supporters, guests, suppliers, partners and all those involved for their continued support.

"I’d also like to thank all of the amazing staff who work at Emirates Old Trafford who have worked tirelessly to prepare the ground for the Test.

"We have an incredibly loyal and talented group of people who have worked very long hours in the run up to this game."

Gidney also apologised "unreservedly" to ticket holders, and confirmed that full refunds will be issued.

The BBCI said in a statement that it has offered to reschedule the match and that it will work with the ECB to find a potential date.

However, this is likely to prove complicated as the Indian Premier League (IPL) season in Twenty20 is scheduled to resume next Sunday (September 19), having been suspended in May due to rising COVID-19 cases among teams in the league.

The BCCI added: "The safety and well-being of the players is of paramount importance and there will be no comprise on that aspect."

It also thanked the ECB for its cooperation and apologised to fans for the cancellation of today’s Test.