After a drought of international cricket due to the pandemic, the wait is about to end for the Indian cricket fans. However, the recent COVID-19 outbreak in Adelaide has put a cloud of uncertainty over the first Test match. The visitors will play the first Test match on December 17. Although, Cricket Australia (CA) has assured the match will be played at Adelaide. However, there are reports by the Australian media that South Australian Premier Steven Marshall, could not guarantee that.
Marshall is still optimistic about cricket in South Australia and said “We are still hopeful that the cricket will go ahead. What we are doing in South Australia is putting all those people we think pose the biggest risk, those people that have come into contact with someone who is infectious, we have put them into quarantine as quickly as possible,”
There are also reports about the Adelaide Test being shifted to Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).In case, the venue needs to be shifted, MCG can host the match claims the MCG chief Stuart Fox. Among other reports, the other alternate option to host the match can be the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
In the meantime, CA has swiftly shifted players and staff from different parts of Australia to Sydney. After a spike in COVID-19 cases in South Australia, other states including Western Australia, Tasmania and Queensland have closed their borders with SA. The move came to avoid any disruption in upcoming India’s tour of Australia.
Nick Hockley, Cricket Australia’s Interim CEO, feels that CA is taken sufficient precautionary step, to ensure smooth conduct of the upcoming series. Talking about CA active and well-planned moves he said “CA has taken a pro-active approach and mobilized a number of people across the country over the past 24 hours to shore up our men’s domestic and international schedules,”
“I would like to thank the players and staff for their understanding regarding the changes to their travel schedules and for their commitment to ensuring the summer of cricket is a huge success.
Hockley further thanked all the leaders who have helped to make such difficult decisions, in such a short span of time.
CA have also confirmed that none of the domestic players in Adelaide, during the Sheffield Shield last week, visited the “hot spots” identified by SA Health department. All players have undergone COVID-19 test, with all results received so far being negative.
CA have repeated that they are currently devoted to the hosting of the pink-ball Test against India at the Adelaide Oval from December 17. While keeping an eye on the latest developments.
