Fixture drama: Quarantined Vics seek delay in Shield opener against NSW
Cricket Australia is facing more scheduling drama because of COVID-19 restrictions, this time in the Sheffield Shield with Victoria seeking a delay in their opening clash against NSW.
The Vics this week have begun their fortnight of quarantine in South Australia but heightened restrictions mean they are given a police escort to training and can only train in groups of four, of which each member must socially distance.
Peter Handscomb's Vics are under strict quarantine in South Australia for the Sheffield Shield.Credit:Getty Images
This has caused major issues in terms of the fast bowlers having adequate preparation, for the Vics and Blues are due to meet on October 22 - just two days after the Vics emerge from quarantine.
The tight turnaround prompted CV to lodge an official request with CA to postpone the match. CA said on Friday negotiations were underway but a call was unlikely to be made until next week.
The Shield season starts on Saturday with all six states in South Australia but Victoria and NSW already had a bye in the opening round because of the Vics' need to quarantine because of Melbourne's COVID-19 issues.
Victorian captain Peter Handscomb revealed on Friday that he had raised concerns with his sports science staff.
"It is something that I have flagged with our physio and that kind of department. I want to really make sure our bowlers are getting what they need to be able to play a game two days outside of quarantine, which could be tough," he said.
"If we are able to get these trainings in and give our bowlers the loads they are required to play Shield games, and not be at risk of any sort of injury, then I am happy to play it. But as soon as there is a bit of risk there, the last thing we would want is a bowler to come out and get injured in that first game because they were underdone. We just have to wait and see what happens."
The Vics have already had their accommodation changed from the Adelaide Oval Hotel to the nearby Playford. The measures they follow are strict, including being socially distanced on a team that is even given a police escort to training.
They train in a three-hour block, of which this is broken into three windows of 55 minutes for batting, fielding and gym work. Once training is completed, the players return to the hotel and remain in their room.
"We are being guided by the science behind it and what Cricket Australia are giving us," Handscomb said.
"It is tough on our bowlers, mainly, and our young bowlers. It will be an interesting one and one we need to find out in the next couple of days, or we need to find out relatively soon, so we know what we are doing."
If the fixture was delayed, it could be shifted into the new year when red-ball cricket resumes after the Big Bash League.
This latest drama comes at a time when CA has yet to officially release its fixturing for the BBL and the international campaign against India. The delay in releasing the dates and venues for India's white-ball and Test series has been attributed to the Queensland government, which has yet to rubber-stamp plans to have the tourists quarantine in Brisbane.
The fixture delay has added to the frustration of free-to-air broadcaster Seven West Media, which is seeking a major cut in its rights fees as a result of the fall-out of COVID-19.
Jon Pierik is cricket writer for The Age. He also covers AFL and has won awards for his cricket and basketball writing.