ABHISHEK SINGH ∙ 17 Nov 2020
Fresh Covid-19 outbreak forces CA to airlift players to NSW
In a dramatic sequence of events, Cricket Australia the governing body for the Archipelago’s national sport airlifted several players involved in the Indian series from their bases in Western Australia, Tasmania, and Queensland along with South Australia to Sydney and Coffs Harbour New South Wales. This was done to avoid any risk of the cricketing summer getting disrupted because of the covid-19, as fresh signs of a spike in the cases were seen in Adelaide, South Australia.
The players airlifted are either a part of the Australian men's ODI and T20I squads which would take on India or those who will participate in the Big Bash League and have their bases in Western Australia, Tasmania, or Queensland as the three states closed its borders with South Australia (SA) following a spike.
"CA has taken a pro-active approach and mobilized a number of people across the country over the past 24 hours to shore up our men's domestic and international schedules," Cricket Australia's Interim CEO Nick Hockley said.
While the international players have been moved to Sydney, those based out of South Australia along with the Adelaide Strikers team have been moved to a training base in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales.
Adelaide doesn’t get a Big Bash League game until December 28 as the initial leg is staged in Tasmania, New South Wales, and Queensland.
Players were enjoying a week off when they got the call to pack urgently and prepare to relocate, with some of the Strikers squad having to make a mad dash back home from Kangaroo Island.
"I would like to thank the players and staff for their understanding regarding the changes to their travel schedules and for their commitment to ensuring the summer of cricket is a huge success,” Hockley added.
The CA also confirmed that no domestic player visited any of the "hot spots" in Adelaide as identified by the SA Health department, during the Sheffield Shield last week.