Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen has extended his support to the English cricketers, who wish to pull out of the four-month-long Ashes series later this year. As per reports, England all format cricketers will have to stay away from families for four months starting from September till Mid January.
The reason behind this is non-stop cricket from September where preparations for the T20 World Cup will start till January where Ashes will end. Families might not be allowed to travel with cricketers in the Ashes tour due to COVID restrictions.
Australian borders have been close for outsiders as a measure to stop COVID spread in the country and it is highly unlikely things will change before 2022. However, Cricket Australia was in talks with the Government to allow England cricketer families to travel with them but there has been no positive development on reports as of now.
All format player and wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler was anxious about the long tour without loved ones and said it would be a massive challenge for the players. Asked if he expected families to travel with the team to Australia, Buttler responded:
“I don’t know the answer. Covid is an ever-changing situation and Australia have some quite strict policies. That (playing without families) would be a huge challenge, especially when you are accustomed to being able to take your family. A lot of the guys have young families, so I’m sure they’d find that tough. Hopefully, a positive solution can be found.”
Kevin Pietersen extends support to England players missing the tour
Former legendary English batsman Kevin Pietersen acknowledges that families are the most important part of players’ life and especially in these tough times and backed players pulling out of the Marquee Ashes tour.
Pietersen wrote on Twitter:
Any ENG player that pulls out of this Ashes, if they seriously can’t see their families for FOUR MONTHS, has my full backing. Families are the most important part of a players make up. And even more so in the current climate! FOUR MONTHS with no family on Ashes Tour?
Any ENG player that pulls out of this Ashes, if they seriously can’t see their families for FOUR MONTHS, has my full backing.
Families are the most important part of a players make up. And even more so in the current climate!
FOUR MONTHS with no family on Ashes Tour? 🖕🏻 pic.twitter.com/boR9rwuzGh— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) June 22, 2021
