The onsite hotel facility available at the iconic Adelaide Oval ground will help with the creation of a bio-secure bubble for the Australian players ahead of the next summer's marquee Test series against India.
Given the COVID-19 pandemic and the necessary quarantine regulations upon arriving down under, the ground will help some Aussie players kickstart their preparations for the home season, including another clash with the Indians for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
According to a report by cricket.com.au, it has been confirmed by Cricket Australia (CA) that the national squad will go through the mandatory isolation phase and prepare at Adelaide Oval after returning from the UK where they are currently involved in a limited-overs series.
While a lot of the top cream of players will fly across to UAE for the start of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020, those not bound for the gulf will make Adelaide Oval their home after the end of the third ODI in Manchester on Wednesday (September 16).
The relaxed regulations will also allow those players to train while going through the quarantine phase at this new hotel based at the venue.
The likes of Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Marnus Labuschagne and Matthew Wade can actually have a headstart with regards to preparations in the quest to get one back at India after a disappointing first home series loss to Virat Kohli & company two summers ago.
"I can't wait for India to come out ... that's the pinnacle, like the Ashes," Lyon was quoted as saying by the report. "You look at the great players India's got, it's going to be a massive challenge."
The report further states that CA also "remains in productive conversations with state governments regarding arrival and quarantine arrangements for the Indian team, as well as Australian players returning from the IPL in the UAE".
In a statement by the board, South Australia Cricket Association (SACA) CEO Keith Bradshaw said, "We are happy that we are able to assist the Australian men's cricket team on their return to South Australia and at Adelaide Oval in the Oval Hotel."
"Rest assured we have undergone rigorous procedures with Premier Steven Marshall and the SA Government, to ensure the safety of the public and the players. Our hope is that the Oval Hotel can continue to be used in the successful staging of international cricket this season."
(Inputs from PTI)
