News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

This article was first published 2 years ago
Rediff.com  » Cricket » Perth Ashes Test in doubt due to COVID-19 curbs: Minister

Perth Ashes Test in doubt due to COVID-19 curbs: Minister

September 28, 2021 13:18 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

IMAGE: Perth is scheduled to host the fifth and final Ashes Test from January 14. Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Perth may not be able to hold an Ashes Test over Australia's home summer due to COVID-19 restrictions, sports minister Richard Colbeck said on Tuesday.

 

Perth is scheduled to host the fifth and final Test from January 14 but Colbeck said the Western Australia (WA) capital might have to miss out because of the state's quarantine requirements.

Colbeck told Perth radio station 6PR players would not want to quarantine for 14 days in Western Australia as would be required if they played the preceding fourth Test as scheduled in Sydney.

"We've had to do a lot of work to organise quarantine arrangements for cricketers coming into Australia,” Colbeck said.

"There's serious questions about whether there will be a test match in Perth this summer.

"If there's no chance of coming here without prolonged quarantine, it just won’t occur."

The Ashes starts in Brisbane on December 8, followed by Tests in Adelaide (December 16), Melbourne (December 26) and Sydney (January 5).

Cricket Australia (CA) said it is planning for all Tests as scheduled.

England players have threatened to pull out of the series if forced to adhere to Australia's strict quarantine regime and have sought assurances that their families will be able to travel to Australia and tour with them.

Australia's COVID-19 situation has thrown the schedule into doubt, with COVID-free Western Australia loath to open its borders while other states battle outbreaks.

Australia's federal government released a vague plan in July to start easing quarantine restrictions and inter-state travel curbs once 70% of adults are vaccinated, likely by the end of October according to official projections.

But WA and Queensland, of which Brisbane is the capital, have said they may keep borders shut for longer to avoid the risk of their health systems being overwhelmed by COVID outbreaks.

WA Cricket boss Christina Matthews said the sport's state governing body had asked CA to move the Perth match forward in the schedule to avoid the quarantine snag.

"We know it is under real threat," Matthews told The West Australian newspaper.

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 2024

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 2024