Cricket Australia has denied reports of a shift of venue for the third and the fourth tests despite a new COVID surge in Sydney. As per reports in the Sydney Morning Herald, it said that Cricket Australia were mulling over a change of venue for the third and the fourth tests with fresh COVID-19 cases. However, the rumour has been put to rest by the board. It said that there is no change in schedule as of now and the two test matches are on.
The third Test between India and Australia is slated to be played at Sydney from January 7 while the last Test of the series will go ahead at Brisbane from January 15.
“The third Test is more than two-and-a-half weeks away, which provides us with time to assess the evolving public health situation on the northern beaches of Sydney. We have made no changes to our schedule and our preference remains to play the match at the Sydney Cricket Ground,” Nick Hockley, Cricket Australia’s Interim CEO said in an official statement.
“Cricket Australia has developed a solid track record of delivery throughout this most challenging of summers and will continue to make appropriate and proportionate decisions in consultation with our biosecurity team, governments, State & Territory Associations, the Australian Cricketers’ Association, our partners and venues,” he added.
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Cricket Australia Have Plans In Place: Nick Hockley
Nick Hockley also said that Cricket Australia has plans in place to deal with any kind of emergency in respect to COVID-19 affecting the test series.
“CA has prepared for the possibility of COVID-19 hotspots and state border closures over the course of the summer and the protocols that we have put in place have been effective in ensuring the safety and success of the men’s and women’s domestic and international programmes to date,” said Hockley.
There were reports of Adelaide being a COVID hotspot in South Australia, however, the successful completion of the first test was an example of Cricket Australia’s well monitoring of the situation.
India lost the first test against Australia in Adelaide by 8 wickets. With the Boxing-Day test a week away, the Indian team management have to identify players who can win the next test apart from finding an ideal replacement for Virat Kohli at number 4.
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