Australian batsman Matthew Wade has said that the team “fully expects” to play the fourth and final test as scheduled in Gabba, Brisbane, starting January 15 onwards. This came after reports emerged that India is reluctant to travel to Queensland because of stricter COVID-19 quarantine protocols there.
According to reports, the Indians are not keen to travel to Brisbane in view of the stricter quarantine protocols in Queensland and want to play back-to-back games in Sydney where the third Test begins on Thursday. Indians are not happy at the possibility of going to another strict quarantine in Brisbane since they have already served 14-day quarantine upon entry to Australia.
"I have not heard of this, but we obviously prefer not to (play back-to-back in Sydney). The schedule has been rolled out and we prefer to stick to that. Regardless, if that is a quarantine-based hotel, go to the ground, play and come back," Wade said in a virtual press conference.
"Cricket Australia has been firm that they will stick to the schedule that we rolled out at the start of the summer so we fully expect to play at Gabba. There is no secret that we would love to play at Gabba. Harder quarantine and stricter biosecurity protocols will be there. But we are ready for more sacrifice and face more challenges," he added.
While Australia has remained unbeaten at the Gabba for the past 32 years, India is yet to win a Test match at the venue.
The Queensland shadow minister for Health and Ambulance Services has already told the Indian team that they are welcome to stay in Sydney if they are not prepared to follow the rules and follow protocols in the state.
"From our position, there is no uncertainty, we are going to play at the SCG and then playing at the Gabba until we are told that it is going to change. So, we are rolling to the next game expecting what is going to be. It is out of our control and there is nothing we can do,” Wade added.
Wade also carefully side-stepped the issue of five India Test players being placed in isolation after a possible breach of protocols as they were filmed having dinner in a restaurant.
"What India is doing, I have not really thought much about. As a group and personally have not thought much about what India is doing outside a cricket ground. That is the situation. We are thinking of how we can do much better," said the 33-year-old left-handed batsman.
After David Warner and Will Pucovski were named in the squad for the SCG Test, Wade, who opened in the last two Tests, said that he was happy batting anywhere in the team.
"I have really enjoyed opening, moving forward if that is something that selectors want me to keep doing more, I am comfortable doing. If I slide back down the order, I will do that also. I am ready from 1 to 7. I am happy to bat wherever playing games for Australia, I will take every run I get,” he said.
Wade said he is also prepared about the possibility of even being dropped.
(PTI inputs)
