AUS v IND 2020-21: CA airlifts players, staff out of South Australia to Sydney

South Australia saw a sudden spike in COVID-19 numbers.

Cricket Australia (CA) has moved the players and staff out of Western Australia, Tasmania, and Queensland, who are part of the Australian men's ODI and T20I squads, to Sydney today (November 17). This was done after the three states closed their borders with South Australia (SA) following a spike in COVID-19 cases in the state.

This was done to save the upcoming white-ball series between Australia and India to be played in Sydney and Canberra, beginning from November 27.

The Adelaide Strikers and South Australia-based players from other BBL squads too have been moved to a training base in Coffs Harbor, New South Wales. Even though the Big Bash League starts on December 10, Adelaide is not hosting a game until December 28 as the initial leg is staged in Tasmania, New South Wales, and Queensland.

"CA has taken a pro-active approach and mobilized a number of people across the country over the past 24 hours to shore up our men's domestic and international schedules. I would like to thank the players and staff for their understanding regarding the changes to their travel schedules and for their commitment to ensuring the summer of cricket is a huge success,” said Nick Hockley, Cricket Australia's Interim CEO.

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"I would also like to thank the various leadership groups across Australian cricket for coming together over the past 48 hours and taking quick, decisive action - made possible by thorough, cross-department contingency planning,” he added.

CA also confirmed that none of the domestic players in Adelaide, during the Sheffield Shield last week, visited the "hot spots" identified by the SA Health Department.

The board has nonetheless instructed all players to undergo COVID-19 tests, with all results received thus far returning negative.

The board also repeated its stand of keeping an eye on the proceedings with a focus on hosting the pink-ball Test against India at the Adelaide Oval from December 17.

"CA will continue to monitor the situation in South Australia and the resulting border restrictions around the country. As ever, we will remain agile in addressing the challenges presented by the pandemic and remain more confident than ever of hosting a safe and successful summer across all formats," Hockley added.

(Cricbuzz inputs)