Veteran Australia opener David Warner and pacer Sean Abbott departed for Melbourne ahead of schedule on Saturday (December 19) amid concerns over rising COVID-19 cases in Sydney.

Warner and Abbott had sustained injuries during the white-ball series against India. While the southpaw suffered a groin injury, the fast bowler picked up a calf injury.

Both of them are part of Australia's 17-member Test squad but had not travelled to Adelaide for the first Test and were undergoing rehab in Sydney.

However, the duo left for Melbourne to avoid being caught in Sydney where the number of cases in the northern beaches increased, according to a report in Sydney Morning Herald.

As the Coronavirus cluster grew, the New South Wales government imposed restrictions and Cricket Australia is not taking any chances keeping in mind the current situation.

“Given the concern, Victoria might close the border to people coming from Sydney, plans were quickly made on Saturday for the pair to head to Melbourne to start isolating there before linking up with the travelling Test series bubble when the Australian and Indian squads fly there following the first Test,” the report stated.

Currently, anyone who has visited COVID hotspots in Sydney has to serve two-week quarantine if they enter Victoria.

The sudden outbreak has also had an impact on the broadcasters involved with the Test series. Former Australia pacemen Brett Lee is learnt to have decided to return home to northern Sydney.

Two more broadcast team members based in Sydney returned home, while two have decided to work from the hotel.

The second Test between Australia and India is scheduled to be played in Melbourne from December 26.

(With PTI inputs)