India fine with controls for Brisbane: CA
BRISBANE: Cricket Australia boss Nick Hockley has rubbished speculation India is unwilling to accept stricter biosecurity protocols and wants two tests in Sydney, while Nathan Lyon wants everybody to ‘‘suck it up’’ and stop complaining.
Australia and India’s test squads travelled from Melbourne to Sydney yesterday, having all returned negative Covid19 tests after an apparent biosecurity breach involving some of the touring side.
The fourtest series continues at the SCG on Thursday, with CA agreeing to restrict capacity at the venue to 25% amid increasing pressure to lock fans out entirely because of the city’s Covid outbreak.
The New South Wales Government had given the green light for CA and Venues NSW to host a halffull crowd of approximately 20,000 for each day of the third test.
However, Sydney’s latest outbreak means that number has been trimmed to approximately 10,000.
The Australian Medical Association has led calls for the test to be played without spectators because of the risk it could be a virus superspreading event.
While the third test is still two days away, the fourth test, slated to begin at the Gabba on January 15, is still reportedly causing major angst among the visiting squad.
The Queensland Government has agreed to let both teams train and play in Brisbane but also mingle in communal areas of their hotel, which CA has booked out entirely as part of quarantine concessions.
The state’s restrictions on travellers from Sydney will otherwise be in place.
Both squads will also be under the same restrictions in Sydney.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India is yet to formally complain but an unnamed source in India’s bubble told Cricbuzz there remains much unease because players do not want to be treated like ‘‘animals in the zoo’’.
‘‘We’ve had nothing formal from the BCCI to suggest anything other than they’re supportive,’’ CA chief executive Hockley said.
‘‘I can’t really comment on speculation. We speak to our counterparts at the BCCI daily.
‘‘Both teams have wanted to play the schedule as we’ve set out.
‘‘We have clarified in the last 24 hours what the precise requirements are in Brisbane . . . everyone is fully across that, and supportive.’’
SCG Trust boss Kerrie Mather wants the Gabba to host the final test but confirmed her venue will have a pitch ready for the series finale as part of a ‘‘contingency plan’’.
The BCCI and CA have confirmed their respective squad members and support staff all had negative Covid19 swabs on Sunday.
‘‘I’m not even thinking about plan B or not playing at the Gabba . . . 100% planning on going to Brissie and sticking with plan A. We’ve heard nothing [to the contrary],’’ Australia spinner Lyon said.
‘‘There’s a few people from both squads who have been in a bubble for close to six months now but in my eyes it’s a very small sacrifice.
‘‘Let’s just suck it up and get on with it. And stop complaining.’’
Lyon’s plea came after a group of Indian players, including vicecaptain Rohit Sharma, dined indoors away from their hotel.
A similar incident in coming days could potentially affect Queensland’s quarantine concessions, which will be required for the series to finish at the Gabba.
‘‘The players are being well briefed,’’ Hockley said.
The BCCI is still investigating the episode but Sharma and every player involved is fully expected to be available for the third test.
‘‘People make mistakes, we get that,’’ Lyon said.