Ashes in Australia to go ahead as per schedule if ‘several critical conditions’ are met

Clouds of uncertainty have loomed large over the Ashes, scheduled to start on December 8, amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. With less than two months left for the beginning of the five-match Test series, Cricket Australia and England and Wales Cricket Board have been scratching their heads, mostly due to the strict quarantine protocols that will be in place during the series.

However, as per reports, the who’s and who of the ECB met on Friday, October 8 and gave a green signal for the series to go ahead. But it was also learned that their decision was “subject to several critical conditions being met before we travel”.

ECB co-ordinating with CA for Ashes

“We look forward to the ongoing assistance from Cricket Australia in resolving these matters in the coming days,” the ECB was quoted as saying in a statement, Barmy Army reported. For the time being, details about the critical conditions aren’t known.

Over the last few weeks, there have been several talks regarding the travails of English cricketers staying in bio-secure bubbles for an extended period of time. Jos Buttler, who became a father a few weeks ago, said that it would be tough for him to stay in isolation away from his family.

Joe Root, the England Test skipper, also refrained from giving any confirmation over his participation in the Ashes. Earlier, former Three Lions’ cricketer Kevin Pietersen said that staying as long as four months away from family won’t be a cakewalk for the players.

“Any England cricketer that pulls out of this winter’s Ashes trip will have my full support. To not see your family for four months is absolutely insane. Complete and utter madness!” Pietersen said.

“An Ashes tour is hard enough and to do it without your family for all or part of it, is just stupid. After the last 12 months or so, the players deserve their families whenever they want.

“And to those who say, ‘they get paid loads, so suck it up’, just be quiet. An Ashes tour is a tough tour. Players need all their comforts and be happy,” he added.

Prior to the Ashes, the England players are also set to take part in the 2021 T20 World Cup, scheduled to start on October 17.