India balk at playing test in Brisbane

India have reportedly expressed concern about being forced into a hard quarantine on entry to Brisbane, claiming they’d rather the fourth test be played elsewhere.

The Australian and Indian teams are set to fly to Sydney today to continue preparations for the third test, starting on Thursday, before flying to Queensland for the fourth and final match, starting on January 15.

Teams have so far been granted some freedoms during the tour, including being able to eat outdoors at venues and leave hotels.

However, that is likely to change over the coming fortnight.

While harder restrictions will be in place in Sydney, Cricket Australia boss Nick Hockley said last week Brisbane’s test would be played under ‘‘quarantine conditions’’.

It means teams will predominantly only be able to leave their hotels to train and play, as part of an exemption for them to cross the closed border from greater Sydney into Queensland.

It’s a situation an Indian official says they would not be happy with.

‘‘We aren’t keen on going to Brisbane if it means being stuck in the hotel again, except for going to the ground,’’ a source in the Indian camp told Cricbuzz.

‘‘Instead we don’t mind being in some other city, playing both test matches there to complete the series and returning home.’’

The Gabba test is seen as crucial to Australia’s chances with the series currently locked at 1-1, given they have not been beaten at the ground since 1988.

India did not play a test in Brisbane on their successful tour two seasons ago, a point that was not lost on Australian captain Tim Paine in the aftermath.

The indecision comes as both Cricket Australia and the Board of Control for Cricket in India investigate whether five of India’s players broke biosecurity protocols in Melbourne on Friday.

A video on social media appeared to show Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, Prithvi Shaw and Navdeep Saini eating inside a restaurant.

The quintet have been separated from the rest of India’s squad, but they will be able to continue training. – AAP