India ready to isolate in Australia for $300m tour

New Delhi: Cricket Australia has received a vote of confidence from one of India’s key senior cricket officials regarding the chances of a vital $300m tour going ahead despite coronavirus.Arun Dhumal, treasurer of the Board of Control for Cricket in India offered hope for the Test and one-day series against Australia by declaring the team were willing to isolate here for a fortnight before playing.

“There is no choice – everyone will have to do that. You would want to resume the cricket.”

“Two weeks is not that long a lockdown.

That would be ideal for any sportsman because when you are in quarantine for such a long period, then going to another country and having a two-week lockdown it would be a good thing to do. We’ll have to see what the norms are post this lockdown.”

The summer tour is critical to the financial situation of CA, who were expecting $300m in broadcast rights. CA first responded to the dire financial prospect in late April, when about 80 per cent of staff were stood down on 20 per cent pay.

States were also asked to take 45 per cent cuts to their annual grants but Australian cricket’s state association owners successfully challenged that proposal and at the time had negotiated it down to a 25 per cent trim.

CA reportedly were able to secure a $50m loan not long after these developments though as part of a larger $200m loan to cover for the potential cancellation of India’s tour to Australia. -