Indian team is reluctant towards travelling to Brisbane to play the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, while some members of the Queensland government have come up with a statement saying the visiting team is more than welcome not to enter the state if they are unwilling to coordinate with the protocols that have been laid out.
On Sunday, reports emerged that the visitors weren’t keen on travelling to Brisbane where the fourth Test is supposed to be held if the cricketers are forced to undergo quarantine again.
Indians Shouldn’t Come If They Don’t Want To Abide By The Rules: Members of Queensland Government
The visitors have already served their 14-day mandatory quarantine period and sources within the team believe they don’t want more restrictions imposed on the mentally worn-out players, which is why the winners of MCG 2nd Test might prefer the fourth Test also being played at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
But some members of the Queensland government made it clear that not abiding by the rules is not a viable option.
“If the Indians don’t want to play by the rules, don’t come,” The state’s Health Shadow Minister Ros Bates said.
Ros Bates’ sentiments were echoed by Tim Mander who is Queensland’s Shadow Sports Minister, who said there’s no room for ignoring the protocols and that every individual irrespective of stature will have to go through the same drill and process laid down by authorities.
“If the Indian cricket team wants to spit the dummy and disregard quarantine guidelines in Brisbane for the fourth Test, then they shouldn’t come. The same rules must apply for everyone. Simple,” Mander said.
The Test series is tied 1-1 and the Sydney 3rd Test will start on 7th January followed by Brisbane Test on January 15th. India won T20I series but lost preceding ODI series.
Indian Team Unwilling To Travel To Brisbane As They Don’t Want To Be Confined To Hotel Rooms
It is understood from sources that the Australian players have been informed of a quarantine period upon their arrival in Brisbane, but the same is yet to be announced to the Indian contingent. Wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade dismissed the reports saying the development of visitors unwillingness is new to him and that Australia would prefer playing at the Gabba, a venue they haven’t lost at since 1988.
Australia batsman Matthew Wade on Sunday said that there will be a potentially harder quarantine or bio-security bubble in Brisbane once they travel there for the fourth Test. Australia and India will travel to Brisbane for the fourth Test, set to begin from January 15. India have expressed their unwillingness to travel to Brisbane for the fourth Test if they are confined to their hotel rooms when they are not playing or training.