Cricket Australia’s new interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Nick Hockley has on Monday (January 4) rubbished speculation that India is mulling boycotting the fourth and final Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Brisbane over the need to re-enter strict quarantine conditions.
According to Australian media, citing unnamed sources close to India's touring party, the Indian cricket team would refuse to travel to Brisbane for the final Test, asking for two Tests in Sydney, if they are to be subjected to the stricter biosecurity protocols in the Australian state of Queensland.
However, Australia and India Test squad players, who traveled from Melbourne to Sydney, have all returned negative for the COVID-19 after the latest testing on Monday following an apparent breach in bio-security protocols by the tourists recently.
Well, the four-Test series will continue with the third Test will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground from Thursday (January 7) while the fourth Test, which slated to begin at the Gabba on January 15, seems in jeopardy due to the strict restrictions by the Queensland government.
Queensland has closed its borders with New South Wales but agreed to allow the players to enter Brisbane for the final Test as long as they agree to abide by strict biosecurity protocols.
However, BCCI is yet to formally complain about the same, but it is being said that the players don’t want to be treated like “animals in the zoo”, but Hockley has insisted that he didn’t hear anything from the Indian board and they are “fully across (and) supportive” of quarantine requirements in Queensland.
Hockley told reporters in Sydney: “We’ve had nothing formal from the BCCI to suggest anything other than they’re supportive. I can’t really comment on speculation. We speak to our counterparts at the BCCI daily. Both teams have wanted to play the schedule as we’ve set out.”
The CA CEO further added, “We have clarified in the last 24 hours what the precise requirements are in Brisbane ... everyone is full across that and supportive.”
Meanwhile, Australian spinner Nathan Lyon has asked players from both teams to “suck it up” and stop complaining about the bio-bubble.
Lyon told the media: “I’m not even thinking about Plan B or not playing at the Gabba ... 100 percent planning on going to Brissie and sticking with Plan A. We’ve heard nothing (to the contrary).”
He signed off by saying, “There are a few people from both squads who have been in a bubble for close to six months now but in my eyes, it’s a very small sacrifice. Let’s just suck it up and get on with it. And stop complaining.”
(With Reuters/The West Australian Inputs)
