Members of the Australia squad who will return straight home following the England tour will quarantine at the Adelaide Oval for two weeks after an agreement was reached between Cricket Australia and the South Australia government which will allow players to train during that period.
The squad, which will leave the UK on Thursday, will make use of the newly completed Oval Hotel at the ground in Adelaide which will allow the same model of biosecure bubble that has been used at the Ageas Bowl, Old Trafford and Derby during the English season.
The initial planning was for Perth to be used as the base of the returning team – and potentially Afghanistan and India later in the season – but the Western Australia government would not allow exemptions for players to training during the fortnight of quarantine.
Cricket Australia said that conversations are ongoing about arrangements for the India men’s team as well as the players returning from the IPL. CA has remained committed to hosting the Afghanistan Test, scheduled for Perth, but that match could now be in doubt.
“We would like to thank the South Australian Government and the South Australian Cricket Association for approving CA’s proposal for the return of the Australian men’s team,” Nick Hockley, the CA chief executive, said.
“CA is committed to staging a safe and successful summer and today’s agreement with the authorities in South Australia is a positive step towards achieving that. The health and safety of the South Australian community is our highest priority and the guiding principle in our planning.
“International travel in the time of a global pandemic presents many challenges, and we deeply appreciate the efforts of everyone in the SA Government, SACA and CA for working through these in a constructive, cooperative manner.
“There is so much to look forward to this summer, and plenty of work going on behind the scenes to ensure that happens. Today’s announcement will allow the Australian men’s squad to safely stay in Adelaide while also maintaining their training loads for the big season ahead.”
Given Adelaide Oval now has a hotel onsite it could well become a major feature of the Australian summer as it navigates the various restrictions around Covid-19. It is likely to host the first Test against India in December and be put on standby for the Boxing Day Test if Melbourne is unable to host its traditional fixture.
South Australian Premier Steven Marshall said: “Cricket Australia and SA Health have both worked hard to make this happen and today’s announcement will pave the way for a massive summer of cricket right here at Adelaide Oval.”
Keith Bradshaw, the SACA chief executive, added: “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.”
Adelaide is also shaping as a potential hub for the start of the Sheffield Shield season in October with Nathan Lyon making reference to it when speaking from the team’s base at Old Trafford.
“I can’t wait for India to come out, that’s the pinnacle, like the Ashes,” Lyon said. “You look at the great players India’s got, it’s going to be a massive challenge. I know I’ll get the opportunity to play some Shield cricket for New South Wales hopefully in Adelaide when I get home, but I’m ready now and I can’t wait to face the Indians.”
The players who will compete at the IPL will head directly to that tournament after the conclusion of the one-day series in England and are likely to be back in Australia during early to mid-November depending how far their teams go in the competition. It is expected that the men’s international season will start with limited-overs matches before the four-match India Test series.
“CA remains in productive conversations with state governments regarding arrival and quarantine arrangements for the Indian men’s team, as well as Australian men’s players returning from the Indian Premier League in the United Arab Emirates,” the statement said.
The home season begins in two weeks when Australia Women take on New Zealand in Brisbane. New South Wales, Victoria and ACT players, along with the New Zealand squad, are currently undergoing quarantine in the city and are able to train at Allan Border Field for three hours a day.
Source: ESPN Crickinfo