REVOLT PUT TO REST
Hockley confident India won’t need to be confined
CRICKET Australia chief Nick Hockley is confident that rumblings over Indian stars refusing to quarantine in Brisbane and feeling like “animals in a zoo” will not railroad the series.
Hockley confirmed he had spoken to the BCCI top brass in Mumbai since reports surfaced on Sunday that there was discontent within the Indian ranks about quarantining in Queensland.
The interim chief executive has clarified for his Indian counterparts that players will not be confined to their hotel rooms in Brisbane and believes that has put any potential threat of a revolt to bed.
BCCI officials are yet to raise any issues with Cricket Australia over the schedule, which they agreed upon during high- level talks last Tuesday night when the decision to play a Test in Sydney and then submit to quarantine in Queensland was discussed.
“We speak to our counterparts at the BCCI daily,” Hockley said. “We have clarified in the past 24 hours what the precise requirements are in Brisbane. I just have to reiterate to say a huge thank you to the Queensland Government, to Dr Young and Queensland Health.
“What I would say is that within our exclusive hotel environment, there have been some reports that players will be confined to their rooms. That’s not the case.
“Players will be able to play and train at the ground and when they’re in the hotel, they’ll be able to mix within their groups.
“Typically for a Test match, players arrive at the ground between 8- 9am in the morning and they’re there until 6 or 7pm at night.
“Then it’s back to the hotel to rest, recuperate and they will be allowed to mix within their groups. Everyone is fully, fully across that and supportive.”
Asked if the felt like that important clarification over quarantine provisions was acceptable to India, Hockley indicated his confidence that was the case.
“I would say so, yes,” he said. “We’ve had nothing formal from the BCCI to suggest anything other than they are supportive and so I can’t really comment on speculation.
“As I say, we are in regular dialogue with our colleagues at the BCCI. Both teams have wanted to play the schedule as we’ve set out.”
“We are on track to play out the Test series as scheduled.”
Both teams arrived in Sydney on Monday. They will only be able to leave their hotels to train and play.