Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison has on Tuesday (April 27) made it clear that Australian cricketers competing in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL 2021) will have to make their “own arrangements” to return home by saying they are not on national duty.
Witnessing the COVID-19 situation in India, three Australian cricketers Andrew Tye, Kane Richardson, and Adam Zampa have withdrawn from the ongoing IPL 2021 and even Rajasthan Royals’ pacer took the flight to Sydney on Sunday (April 25).
However, there are still as many as 14 Australian players still participating in the IPL 14 with the likes of Steve Smith (Delhi Capitals), David Warner (Sunrisers Hyderabad), Pat Cummins (Kolkata Knight Riders), and Marcus Stoinis (Delhi Capitals) while coaches Ricky Ponting and Simon Katich are among others.
There are also commentators Matthew Hayden, Brett Lee, Michael Slater, and Lisa Sthalekar from Australia in India for the commentary stints in the ongoing IPL 2021.
Well now, Australia has banned all flights from India with immediate effect until 15 May due to the “very significant” spike in COVID-19 cases in the biggest Asian country and Morrison made it clear that all the players and support staff have to make their own arrangements to return home.
As reported by The Guardian, Morrison said: “They have traveled there privately. This wasn't part of an Australian tour. They're under their own resources and they'll be using those resources too, I'm sure, to see them return to Australia in accordance with their own arrangements.”
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Meanwhile, the IPL 2021 will run until May 30 May and Cricket Australia is taking a wait-and-watch approach at the moment regarding the matter.
CA said in a statement, “Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers' Association remain in regular contact with Australian players, coaches, and commentators taking part in the Indian Premier League, which is being conducted under strict biosecurity protocols.”
It concluded, “We will continue to listen to feedback from those on the ground in India and the advice of the Australian government. Our thoughts are with the people of India at this difficult time.”
(With PTI Inputs)
