Robert Key, the former England batsman has made controversial accusations against Cricket Australia concerning the Ashes 2021/22 series. Robert Key believes the board has urged its captain Tim Paine to pressurize England to visit Australia to compete for the urn.
Tim Paine’s inconsiderate comments against England concerning quarantine measures were met with backlash from former cricketers. Nasser Hussain notably blasted Tim Paine in his column, saying it was uncalled for by a fellow professional cricketer.
Robert KeyC: CA Asked Tim Paine To Pressurize England To Ensure Ashes 2021/22 Happen As Per Schedule
Robert Key predicted that Cricket Australia has provoked Tim Paine to persuade England so the Ashes could occur as per schedule. However, the former England batsman Robert Key feels the ball is in England’s court now and the hosts will have to budge in some way.
“Tim Paine has clearly been told ‘Look, you make sure. Cricket Australia have said to him ‘You put some pressure on this England team now, this Ashes we have to make sure goes ahead.
“We are doing everything in our power to make sure that England come over. But England hold all the cards here as far as I’m concerned. Cricket Australia has to make sure that it’s a palatable thing for the England players to want to do,” said Robert Key.
Tim Paine declared last week that the Ashes will go ahead irrespective of whether any of England’s star players arrive. Furthermore, the Tasmanian believes the visitors must constantly stop complaining about quarantine rules and play the game.
The Australia Test captain said that the Ashes will begin on December 8 regardless of whether counterpart Joe Root is part of the tour amid ongoing uncertainty about the level of restrictions the tourists may face. He copped flak from the England fans for his lack of empathy and consideration.
Robert Key: ECB Right To Ask Time To Decide Whether Ashes Happen
Robert Key further claims that England and Wales Cricket Board is right in requesting more time to decide and ponder upon as they want to make the conditions friendly for the players. The 42-year old underlined that the protocols in Australia highly vary from region to region, making it hostile.
The ECB’s final decision on England’s participation in the Ashes, starting in December, will come this week. In case the Three Lions – England abandon the tour, Cricket Australia would suffer hefty financial losses.
The hosts are the current holders of the Ashes as Tim Paine’s men retained the urn in England in 2019. England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) warned the forthcoming Ashes 2021/22 will only go ahead if ECB can pick a squad “befitting a series of this significance”.