India may not get quarantine exemptions down under

The new normal has taken over the world of cricket, and the sport is slowly getting accustomed to it. A standardized quarantine period, regular temperature checks, and many other safety protocols have become the norm. Sourav Ganguly, the BCCI president, might have hoped that the Indian team will get a slightly less stringent quarantine period, but it looks unlikely, at least that is according to Cricket Australia’s interim CEO Nick Hockley. 

Hockley emphasized the need to adhere to safety protocols, saying, ”The key thing for the players is that there's regular testing and that we appropriately quarantine them when they come in. What we are working on is making sure that even within that quarantine environment, the players have got the absolute best training facilities, so that their preparation for the matches is as optimal as it can possibly be and that certainly we are working through the very same with the ECB (if Australia's white-ball tour to England goes ahead) as well at the moment."

Ganguly had earlier mentioned that he is hoping for a shorter quarantine period, keeping in mind the relatively healthier shape the Australian continent is in. "It is very, very depressing and disappointing. We are looking at that, the quarantine thing. And, as I said Australia and New Zealand have been in good position except Melbourne. So, from that point of view, we will be going there and hopefully, the quarantine days will be less and we can get back to cricket,” he had said.

Hockley also added that Cricket Australia will have to work with the Australian government to procure “travel exemptions” for the touring Indian players given the concern over rising COVID-19 cases in the country. "We will need to get exemptions. It's widely known and it's unlikely that international travel restrictions would have lifted by the time that India will be due to come into the country. Clearly there will be testing regimes. We will be able to test people before that they get on to the plane and it is the nature of the situation of making sure we have the quarantine arrangements on time with government and health authority protocol," he added.

Given the extent of safety measures taken by the ECB for the ongoing Test series against West Indies, Nick Hockley acknowledged that CA will be looking to replicate a similar model for teams touring down under. "Whether it's a hotel on-site or hotels in close proximity to venues, it's certainly about creating that environment where we are minimizing risk of infections, and creating a biosecure environment is the absolute priority. There's a huge amount at stake if we are unable to do that. Certainly, the fact that the Adelaide Oval has a hotel, we're obviously in discussion with all venues. It does provide a facility not dissimilar to Old Trafford or Ageas Bowl where the hotels are integrated into venue," he said.

Addressing the media for the first time since the official announcement of the ICC Men’s T20 World cup, Hockley welcomed the move. "If it's '21, then the plans are really, really well progressed so we're really well-placed to deliver that event. If it's 2022, it gives a little more time to create even more certainty around the health situation because I think no one knows how long this is going to last," he said. 

[Cricbuzz inputs]