Cricket Australia scrambling to relocate players to NSW
Cricket Australia is scrambling to get players from around the country into NSW as the coronavirus outbreak in South Australia threatens to disrupt the start of the international season.
In scenes reminiscent of the exodus from the winter football codes this year, when players had to leave Victoria at short notice to avoid border controls, CA on Tuesday was working to get exemptions to put West Australian, South Australian, Tasmanian and Queensland players on flights as soon as possible for Sydney to ensure they can take part in the white-ball series against India, beginning November 27, and the Australia A matches against the tourists in December.
Cameron Green is one of the ODI players in quarantine thanks to new and stricter restrictions on people who has come from South Australia.Credit:Getty Images
The one-day international and Twenty20 series will be split between Sydney and Canberra, while the two Australia A matches are in Sydney.
CA has taken the decisive action after the four states placed more stringent restrictions on travellers from South Australia, which recently held the opening rounds of the Sheffield Shield.
The sport's governing body is also fearful several state borders could be shut, with players then unable to leave their home states, thereby ruining a season that is worth $300 million to CA.
CA has no concerns, however, about Victorian players travelling to NSW, with the NSW border to re-open on November 23.
Players who have gone into quarantine in recent days, including emerging Western Australian all-rounder Cam Green and Tasmanian Matthew Wade, can cease this as soon as they get to Sydney. Players, however, will need an exemption to train in hubs.
WA spinner Ashton Agar returned home from Adelaide early and his 14-day self isolation period finishes on Thursday. The Sheffield Shield was held in a bio-secure bubble, reducing any chance players had of testing positive to the virus, which has up-ended the world.
Queensland players, including Marnus Labuschagne, and coaches who took part in Adelaide had a COVID-19 test on Monday and are now self-isolating.
The SA outbreak has also meant the Adelaide Strikers Big Bash League team will leave early for a training camp in Coffs Harbour. The BBL does not begin until December 10. Matches in Adelaide are not due to start until December 28.
There is no suggestion that CA is considering shifting the blockbuster Adelaide Test, beginning December 17.
"Our biosecurity and operational teams are closely monitoring the situation and working to put in place the necessary plans to ensure players, coaches and staff are available for upcoming fixtures," a CA statement said.
"CA has always maintained that it would need to be agile as border conditions change and we thank the players, coaches and staff involved for their flexibility and all parties for their support.
"We will continue to provide updates as the situation evolves and look forward to hosting a safe and successful summer across all formats."
CA is also working to finalise where a chartered plane carrying international BBL players will land. One plan had been for it to fly into Adelaide but Sydney may now be the preferred option, with players to quarantine for a fortnight.
The Australian players who took part in the Indian Premier League and the Indian squad are in quarantine in Sydney, and will not be free until a day before the opening ODI match, although they are able to train in the meantime.
Australia ODI & T20 squad: Aaron Finch (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey , Pat Cummins (vc), Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Moises Henriques, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Daniel Sams, Kane Richardson, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa.
Australia A squad: Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Joe Burns, Jackson Bird, Alex Carey (wk), Harry Conway, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Nic Maddinson, Mitchell Marsh (subject to fitness), Michael Neser, Tim Paine, James Pattinson, Will Pucovski, Mark Steketee, Will Sutherland, Mitchell Swepson.
Jon Pierik is cricket writer for The Age. He also covers AFL and has won awards for his cricket and basketball writing.