Dispute over Brisbane test

Australia’s players are adamant the Gabba test in Brisbane should go ahead as planned despite India’s frustrations over quarantine in Queensland casting doubt over the venue. Australian and Indian players will fly to Sydney today to ramp up preparations for the third test, which starts on Thursday, before crossing the closed border into Queensland for the series deciding fourth test beginning on January 15. That will effectively spell an end to most freedoms the players have had on tour, with the exemption to cross the border only allowing them to leave the hotel to go to the Gabba. That has prompted frustration from the Indian camp, and a reported push for the fourth test to be moved. ‘‘Wearen’t keen on going to Brisbane if it means being stuck in the hotel again, except for going to the ground,’’ a source from within the camptold Cricbuzz. ‘‘Instead we don’tmind being in some other city, playing both test matches there to complete the series and returning home.’’ But Australian players are adamant the match should stay in Brisbane. Australia have not lost a test at the Gabba since 1988, with their 32-year unbeaten streak the longest of any team at any ground in world cricket. ‘‘If [play-in-quarantine] is what the government are going to make us do to play a game at the Gabba then we’re willing to sacrifice,’’ batsman MatthewWade said yesterday. The fixture will decide the series with the scoreline level at 1-1 and twomatches to play. India have never won in Brisbane.