Western Daily Press

Ashes deal looks close, hints Finch

Australia’s one-day captain says talks going well with a resolution likely this week

- PRESS ASSOCIATIO­N wdsport@b-nm.co.uk

AUSTRALIA’S one-day captain Aaron Finch has indicated this winter’s Ashes series is looking likely to go ahead.

England’s tour has been in doubt due to the difficulti­es presented by coronaviru­s restrictio­ns, most notably Australia’s strict quarantine laws.

It is thought that quarantine arrangemen­ts for the families of players have been one of the main concerns, with captain Joe Root among the players yet to commit.

Discussion­s between the England and Wales Cricket Board and Cricket Australia over entry requiremen­ts and bubble conditions have been held and it is hoped a resolution can be reached this week.

And yesterday Finch suggested talks have progressed well.

“I can really sympathise with them and I am glad everyone is coming to a resolution,” he said. “The quarantine conditions sound really positive.”

Speaking on a media call ahead of the T20 World Cup, Finch, pictured, said he fully understand­s why England’s players might be reluctant to commit without certain assurances.

He said: “It’s obviously a difficult situation for them.

They’ve been dragged from pillar to post with their schedule over the last couple of months, so I can understand where they’re coming from.

“Having families around... especially in a pandemic - guys are on the road for a lot longer than what tours used to go (for), when you add on quarantine at the start and potentiall­y at the end - so I sympathise fully with them. It is difficult.

“I think it is up to the individual. Personally I would do it but we have been in a different situation to England.

“They have played so much cricket in the last 18 months to two years. I can understand their want and need to have partners and families and as much comfort as they can. It is a really big issue.”

Another figure close to the negotiatio­ns is Todd Greenberg, the chief post by Cezanne Tobin, founder of My Football Mind, Johnson wrote: “Big big problem in football! Sad to see and in my opinion very detrimenta­l to developmen­t and performanc­e.”

Johnson was in charge at Bristol City for four years before taking the post at the Stadium of Light in December, 2020.

In April, following a defeat to MK Dons which all-but confirmed Rovers’ relegation into League Two, Barton noted that more than 10 of his squad were regular users of snus.

Some have claimed it delivers performanc­e-enhancing benefits, due to increased mental sharpness, while relieving anxiety and stress, but there is no concrete

 ?? ?? Former Bristol City head coach and current Sunderland boss Lee Johnson, left, and the Bristol Rovers’ manager Joey Barton
Former Bristol City head coach and current Sunderland boss Lee Johnson, left, and the Bristol Rovers’ manager Joey Barton
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