Adelaide Oval’s on-site hotel to be quarantine centre for the Border-Gavaskar series

With the Australian summer of cricket around the corner, Cricket Australia has begun planning towards getting the players quarantined and ready for the busy season ahead. The Australian summer which will be topped off by a marquee Border-Gavaskar series is expected to attract major eyeballs from the cricketing world, not just in terms of the profile of the teams involved, but because it shall also serve as a test of Cricket Australia’s ability to deal with the new normal.

With big prospects at stake, Cricket Australia has decided to use the on-site hotel at the Adelaide Oval as a bio-secure bubble according to reports in the local Australian media. The venue will act as a quarantine location for the players returning from the tour of England. The tour of England is scheduled to conclude on the 16th of September, and the players who are not part of the IPL touring party shall return to the hotel at the Adelaide Oval. Quashing any previous worries, the venue with an on-site allows the players to train during their quarantine period. 

Cricket Australia has also expressed their happiness about the progress it is making with State associations in the quarantine arrangements for the Indian team scheduled to visit down under, as well as the returning Australian players from the IPL. "We are happy that we are able to assist the Australian men's cricket team on their return to South Australia and at Adelaide Oval in the Oval Hotel," said SACA Chief Executive Keith Bradshaw.

"Rest assured we have undergone rigorous procedures with Premier Steven Marshall and the SA Government, to ensure the safety of the public and the players. Our hope is that the Oval Hotel can continue to be used in the successful staging of international cricket this season."

Australian spinner Nathan Lyon expressed his excitement for India’s visit, saying, "I can't wait for India to come out. That's the pinnacle, like the Ashes. You look at the great players India's got, it's going to be a massive challenge.”

[TOI inputs]