Australia cricketers airlifted to avoid disruption to season

Following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in the state of South Australia, cricketers on the roster of Australia, Australia A and the Big Bash League were on Tuesday airlifted into New South Wales. The rapid development took place to ensure that the Australian cricketing summer is not affected by the coronavirus which has made some degree of progress in the state of South Australia. 

According to ESPNCricinfo, the players were also taken out of Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania after all the three state governments imposed quarantine-related restrictions on South Australia. 

The move resulted in the transportation of the entire Adelaide Strikers squad including its coaching and support staff to a training facility in Coffs Harbour. This move in particular will help players to prepare freely for the upcoming three-match One-Day International (ODI) and three-match Twenty20 (T20) International series against India. 

The Australian national players are gearing up to face the Virat Kohli-led India in what promises to be the biggest cricket series since the Covid-19 pandemic struck. Australia A side is set to face the touring Indians in a warm-up affair before the main series starts. 

The movement of players out of South Australia meant that key members of the squad had to bid quick and sudden adieu to their family members. The list includes Australia Test captain Tim Paine, Marnus Labuschagne, wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade, Travis Head and Cameron Green. 

“CA has taken a proactive approach and mobilised 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 chief executive Nick Hockley said.