Test schedule under threat after boycott threat reports
SYDNEY: The schedule for Australia’s test series against India was under threat again yesterday after reports the touring side was unhappy at the prospect of reentering strict quarantine for the fourth test in Brisbane.
The third test in the fourmatch series is scheduled to start at Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday after Cricket Australia decided not to move the match in the wake of an outbreak of Covid19 cases in the city’s northern beaches.
Both squads will today fly to New South Wales, which reported eight new locally transmitted cases of the virus and ramped up socialdistancing measures yesterday.
Queensland state has closed its border with New South Wales and, although agreement has been reached to allow the players to fly to Brisbane for the fourth test on January 15, there is uncertainty as to what level of restrictions they will face after having been in Sydney.
Reports in the Australian media, citing sources within the touring party, said India’s players, many of whom have been in some form of quarantine or other for six months, would refuse to travel if they were going to be subjected to a hard lockdown.
A spokesman for the India team did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the reports.
India’s players underwent 14 days of strict quarantine after their arrival in Australia but have since enjoyed more freedom while preparing for and playing matches in Adelaide, Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne.
There are still some restrictions, however, and five Indian players were placed in isolation on Saturday after a video surfaced showing them eating inside a Melbourne restaurant on New Year’s Day.
The Australian and Indian cricket boards are investigating the alleged breach of biosecurity protocols with precedent suggesting the players might be fined for their actions.
Sydney, which at one stage looked like losing the third test to Melbourne, would be the most likely beneficiary if it was decided to move the fourth match from Brisbane.
Acting Premier of New South Wales state John Barilaro said yesterday the Government was focusing on staging the third test safely in front of a crowd of up to 20,000 fans.
‘‘We’re going to commit to the test we have,’’ he said.
‘‘If an opportunity arises post that, we’ll take that opportunity then.’’
Batsman Matthew Wade said the Australian players had been told the protocols would be stricter in Brisbane but rejected the idea that there was now uncertainty over the schedule. ‘‘There’s a lot of talk out there but for us as a group and me position personally.
‘‘We’ll go Sydney and play the SCG and then we’ll go the Brisbane and play the Gabba,’’ he said.
‘‘Until the powers that be knock on the door and tell us that that’s going to change, we just roll on to the next game . . .’’
India did not play a test in Brisbane on its successful tour two seasons ago, and has never won there.
The fixture will decide the series with the scoreline level at 11 and two matches to play.