Tim Paine, 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.
Tim Paine: Ashes Going Ahead From December 8 As No One Forces Any England Player To Come
England skipper Joe Root and others on his team have expressed doubts about the tour due to ‘bubble fatigue’ and concerns their families will not be able to travel with them due to Australia’s strict protocols due to covid-19.
“The Ashes are going ahead. The first Test is on Dec. 8 — whether Joe is here or not,” Paine told radio station SEN Hobart.
“It’ll be worked out above us and then they’ll have a choice whether to get on that plane or not. No one is forcing any England player to come. That’s the beauty of the world we live in — you have a choice. If you don’t want to come, don’t come.”
Australia has caps on international arrivals, and there is a mandatory 14-day hotel quarantine even for the fully vaccinated. Australia might be without their captain Tim Paine during the upcoming Ashes 2021-22, scheduled to commence on December 8 at the Gabba.
Australia’s Test captain is likely to be out of action until early November, giving him a month to prepare for the Ashes. Tim Paine is all set to undergo surgery on a chronic neck injury, making him doubtful for the all-important series against arch-rivals England.
Kevin Pietersen: England Players Won’t Travel Unless The Quarantine Rules Are Squashed And Family Will Be Allowed
Former England batsman skipper Kevin Pietersen said England players should not travel if placed under any restrictions. Kevin Pietersen suggested that there was no way possible he would tour Australia.
The players wanted to ease restrictions to allow their families to travel with them. Reports suggest that the players and their families will be able to quarantine in a resort-style facility in Queensland before the opening Test at the Gabba, and not be restricted to just their rooms.
“There is NO WAY I would go to The Ashes this winter. ZERO chance!” he tweeted.
“Unless, the ridiculous quarantine rules were squashed and my family could travel with zero restrictions.”
Tim Paine said Kevin Pietersen did not speak for the players and said he should leave the decision-making up to them. On Friday, Australian captain Tim Paine suggested that the series would go through as Cricket Australia and England Cricket Board continue their negotiations. Tim Paine stated that the Ashes 2021/22 would happen whether Joe Root would travel with the team or not.
“If you want to know anything on any topic in the world, you just ask Kevin Pietersen. He is an expert on everything,” added the captain dryly.
“We have not heard one England player come out and say they will not be coming. I think it‘s been beat up and people like Kevin like to get themselves a little bit of exposure in the media.”
Tim Paine’s captaincy and his wicket-keeping standards have come under severe criticism ever since India thrashed Australia 2-1 in the recently-concluded 4 match Test series. Tim Paine has led his country to 11 wins, four draws, and eight defeats. Under Tim Paine’s leadership, Australia has retained the Ashes and won 11 of 23 matches, but has lost two successive home series to India.
The first Australia vs England Test match will be contested at Brisbane’s Gabba from 8-12 December whereas, the 2nd Test match will be at the Adelaide Oval from 16-20 December, and it will be a Day-Night affair. The iconic Boxing Day and New Year’s Tests will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (26-30 December) and Sydney Cricket Ground (5-9 January), respectively, with the final Test scheduled for Perth’s Optus Stadium (14-18 January).