Multiple reports suggested that England cricketers are unhappy with the strict COVID restrictions in Australia for the upcoming Ashes 2021-22 tour and multiple senior players may pull out of the iconic Test series down under if they are not allowed to take their families with them.
England pacer Stuart Broad has revealed that he is willing to travel to Australia provided he stays fit. He also added that England players are waiting for more details about the restrictions they will be under in Australia due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“If you ask me if I would be happy to get on a plane to Australia in November, I would say yes. I am working tirelessly to get there. I don't feel there will be a postponement.
In my mind, it is 100 percent clear that an England team of some description will embark on the tour. It is now just a couple of weeks away from a squad being selected but players can't sign up to something unless they know what they are signing up for,” Broad said in his Mail on Sunday column, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.
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The right-arm quick then talked about the current negotiations going on between the ECB and CA and them trying to work a way around the quarantine and living arrangements during the two-month trip.
“The ECB have tried to keep us as informed as possible with the information that they are getting from Cricket Australia. It's just that minimal detail has been available. I don't think anyone can say hand on heart that we won't be living in a bubble out there and that will be extremely challenging,” Broad said.
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“With the situation Australia is in -- with their own citizens struggling to get into the country -- I am not thinking we will just be able to fly in with no quarantining, as if we are living a normal life.
Because the world is not a normal place at the moment. We need to be in a situation where we are allowed to train for between two and three hours a day. An international bowler rarely goes two weeks in a year without bowling,” the Englishman concluded.
As far as the Test series between Australia and England is concerned, the England cricket team is scheduled to travel to down under for the five-match Test series with first match to be played at The Gabba in Brisbane from December 8.
(With ANI Inputs)
