Clarity sought over India’s stance on Brisbane test

SYDNEY: Cricket Australia will ask its counterpart in India, the BCCI, for its official stance on the Gabba test as confusion continues over the series finale in Brisbane.

Reports surfaced again yesterday morning that India would push to move the test away from Queensland, as their frustration over hotel quarantine grows.

India captain Ajinkya Rahane on Wednesday night refused to confirm if they would play in Brisbane next week, instead leaving the decision with team management.

At this stage though CA is yet to receive a formal complaint from the BCCI or field any official request to move the test.

‘‘Still definitely planning on playing at the Gabba,’’ spearhead Mitchell Starc told Seven Network.

‘‘I don’t see any reason why we won't be.’’'

CA officials are expected to contact BCCI bosses to seek clarification on the situation which has now been bubbling for more than a week after exemptions were granted to cross the border from Sydney into Queensland.

Tim Paine admitted on Wednesday he felt uncertain about the venue for the fourth test because India held ‘‘a lot of power in world cricket; it's likely that it could happen’’.

Speaking at the toss yesterday, Paine declared his team was ‘‘happy to play anywhere, any time’’.

Rahane, asked about the speculation yesterday morning, replied: ‘‘We are just focusing on this test’’.

It is understood CA presented its plans to the BCCI on December 29, which included players having to stay in hotel rooms in Sydney and Brisbane.

That is said to have been agreed to by Indian authorities at the time and has since been approved by Queensland Health.

CA has heard nothing from the BCCI since but has watched on as sources within the Indian camp complain about the setup in Queensland.

The governing body wants to know if those are the views of BCCI boss Sourav Ganguly, who was recently hospitalised after a heart scare, and secretary Jay Shah.

Quarantine conditions are effectively the same in Sydney and Brisbane, with players confined to their hotels but allowed out of their individual rooms. — AAP