Cricket Australia remains determined to host the final test of the Border Gavaskar trophy in Brisbane later this month. The reports in Indian media on Monday hinted that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) wants to cut short the test series after strong words from Queensland’s Shadow Health Minister’s comments regarding strong quarantine rules.
CA has denied such claims and insisted that both boards want to stick with the itinerary that was initially planned. While speaking to media in Sydney on January 4, Nick Hockley, chief executive of CA, said, “We speak to our counterparts at the BCCI daily. We have had nothing formal from the BCCI to suggest anything other than they’re supportive. Both teams have wanted to play the schedule as we’ve set out.”
In the past few days, there has been too much confusion and tension amongst both boards when few Indian players had reportedly breached the bio-secure bubble. The players in question were cleared to travel from Melbourne to Sydney, while Australia’s spin bowler Nathan Lyon warned Indian players to stick with the guidelines.
The immediate focus of both teams will turn to Sydney for the third test since the series is evenly poised after India’s sensational comeback victory at Melbourne. Australia looked well in control of the series when they had dismissed India for 36 in the Adelaide test and went on to clinch a comfortable victory.
The Indian team has welcomed Rohit Sharma back in the squad, so the batting lineup will be further strengthened. Meanwhile, Australia is likely to have different opening pair as Will Pucovski and David Warner are fit for the third test. More clarity regarding the Brisbane test is expected next week, but the immediate attention will be on the third test in Sydney.