Sydney: Top Australian cricketers, including David Warner and Steve Smith, could soon fly back from India to Australia as all eyes are on the Cabinet National Security Committee meeting on Tuesday calling for a reduction or even a complete ban on flights from India will discuss.
According to a report in 9News early Tuesday morning, “Australian cricketers, including David Warner and Steve Smith, hope to be flown to India before the borders are closed.”
Warner is the leader of SunRisers Hyderabad, while Steve Smith bats for Delhi Capitals.
“We have 30 players, coaches and commentators who would very much like to come from India, given the deteriorating situation facing health care professionals across the country,” the report added.
17 Australian players have taken part in the Indian Premier League, three of whom – Adam Zampa, Kane Richardson (both Royal Challengers Bangalore) and Andrew Tye (Rajasthan Royals) have already returned home. Times has told cricket.com.au that he does not want to lock up outside the country.
There are coaches like Ricky Ponting (Delhi Capitals), David Hussey (Kolkata Knight Riders) and Simon Katich (Royal Challengers Bangalore) as well as commentators Brett Lee, Michael Slater and Matthew Hayden.
The report added that there was talk of bringing the players back on a chartered plane. The 9News report claims that there are discussions about it and a proposal for it is ‘connected’, but nothing has been finalized.
However, Cricket Australia told IANS that there is currently no plan to have a plan for the players.
The other option being discussed is quarantine in a third country before it reaches Australia.
‘I’m just going to wait and see how it plays out. The worst is the worst: we will have to quarantine in Dubai for a few weeks before we can fly home. But I’m sure it’s going to work out, ‘Aussie striker Nathan Coulter-Nile, who is with the Mumbai Indians, told cricket.com.au.
However, Coulter-Nile remains determined to stay back.
But this may not be possible if a complete ban on flights from India is discussed and introduced.
Nine Media and news.com.au report that a complete ban on flights will also be discussed in the Cabinet’s National Security Committee.
Source: Telangana Today