NEWS
Follow UsCricket Australia (CA) is working on exemptions for England players to travel with their families for the Ashes later this year, according to a report by British website inews.co.uk. CA has been very uncompromising with its COVID-19 protocols as it didn't grant any exceptions to India during their two-month long tour Down Under.
The strict rules in place for 2021-22 edition of the Ashes, set to be played from December 8 to January 18, drew criticism from former England players such as Michael Vaughan and Kevin Pietersen as the players will be away from their families for over months with the Ashes taking place soon after the T20 World Cup.
At present in Australia, close contacts are being asked to isolate for 14 days, with secondary contacts only needing to do so until they return a negative COVID test.
However, according to inews.co.uk, the CA has taken into consideration the possibility of players pulling out of the tour and is now forced to alter its plan in order to avoid financial losses. The Board is now prepared to offer England a virtually bubble-free tour as long as they accept certain compromises.
In case of postponement of the Ashes, which is part of the World Test Championship cycle, Cricket Australia will have to pay back broadcasters and sponsors while the Australian government could also see public back lash if the series does not take place.