Ashes 2021/22 | Sportzwiki

Ashes 2021/22

England's Stuart Broad holds the ball to celebrate taking 500 wickets Martin Rickett/Pool via AP
England's Stuart Broad holds the ball to celebrate taking 500 wickets Martin Rickett/Pool via AP
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Stuart Broad Confirms He Will Be A Part Of The Ashes 2021/22 Tour If Fitness Permits Him

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Stuart Broad confirmed that he will be part of the Ashes 2021/22 tour if his fitness permits him to play but added that England’s players still need more details about the Covid-19 restrictions they will undergo in Australia.

It is expected that some multi-format players will withdraw from the trip regardless of the final protocols that are put in place but Stuart Broad, who is a single-format player and could even have an outside chance of captaining the side if Joe Root isn’t available, has committed to being there. The pacer was ruled out of the recently concluded India Test series after playing the first Test when he suffered a calf injury.

Joe Root
Joe Root Photograph: Sri Lanka Cricket

Stuart Broad Would Be Happy To Get On A Plane To Australia In November

England players have expressed serious concerns about the quarantine and bio-bubble protocols being put in place for the team when they tour Australia for the gruelling Ashes series, and there are speculations that some key players might pull out of the tour. Stuart Broad – a veteran of 149 Tests and who has taken a whopping 524 wickets opened up on the matter.

“If you ask me if I would be happy to get on a plane to Australia in November, I would say yes,” Stuart Broad said in his Mail on Sunday column. “I am working tirelessly to get there. I don’t feel there will be a postponement. In my mind, it is 100 percent clear that an England team of some description will embark on the tour.”

“It is now just a couple of weeks away from a squad being selected but players can’t sign up to something unless they know what they are signing up for,” Stuart Broad said

England's Stuart Broad. (Photo by Jon Super / POOL / AFP)
England’s Stuart Broad(Photo by Jon Super / POOL / AFP)

Extensive negotiations are continuing between the two boards- ECB and CA to try and find compromises to maintain quarantine norms and living arrangements during the two-month trip with Australia continuing to battle significant Covid-19 outbreaks in Victoria and New South Wales, although there remains hope that restrictions will be eased by November end.

England’s multi-format players, such as Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Mark Wood, Sam Curran, and Chris Woakes wouldn’t be willing to spend up about four months away from their families as they will fly to Australia straight from the UAE, where the T20 World Cup will be held. Some of the players will also participate in the second half of the IPL 2021. There is also a prospect of a postponed Ashes tour. Australia is the defending holders of the Ashes going into the series, having won in 2017–18 with the 2019 Ashes series ending in a draw.

Stuart Broad: ECB Informed Cricketers With Available Minimal Details Of Australia’s Plans For Ashes 2021/22

However, the final conditions of the tour largely rest with what Cricket Australia is able to negotiate with the federal and state governments in Australia. The biggest challenge is finding biosecure plans that allow the tour to move around the country.

“The ECB have tried to keep us as informed as possible with the information that they are getting from Cricket Australia,” Stuart Broad said. “It’s just that minimal detail has been available. I don’t think anyone can say hand on heart that we won’t be living in a bubble out there and that will be extremely challenging.”

The conditions of the initial 14-day quarantine period have been one of the key areas of discussion between the two boards. The England squad may be housed in a resort on the Gold Coast with a greater degree of freedom, although it may be limited to a period of training each day. India was permitted the same last season.

Ashes Urn Photo: cricket.com.au
Ashes Urn Photo: cricket.com.au

Recently the India Women’s squad, and the majority of the women Australia players, had to undergo two weeks hard quarantine in Brisbane ahead of their multi-format series.

“With the situation, Australia is in — with their own citizens struggling to get into the country — I am not thinking we will just be able to fly in with no quarantining, as if we are living a normal life, because the world is not a normal place at the moment,” Stuart Broad said.

“We need to be in a situation where we are allowed to train for between two and three hours a day. An international bowler rarely goes two weeks in a year without bowling,” Stuart Broad said.
While doubts about whether families will be able to travel have receded, there remain concerns about the conditions of their length of the quarantine period. The possibility of reducing the quarantine period for the squad, which will be entirely double vaccinated, had been raised. 14 days quarantine period is the federal government policy norm throughout the pandemic, so it would appear an unlikely concession.

Late last week a glimmer of a solution had emerged when the New South Wales government, who last season helped rescue the India Test tour by providing the necessary quarantine and training facilities, announced a trial program for a reduced seven-day home quarantine program that would begin in late September as part of the plan to open up international borders. However, progress would have to move quickly for it to be an option for the Ashes.

The Ashes between England and Australia is set to commence on December 8 in Brisbane.

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Chris Woakes. (Getty Images)
Chris Woakes. (Getty Images)
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Chris Woakes Preferred The 2021 T20I World Cup And Ashes 2021/22 Over IPL 2021

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Chris Woakes, England seam-bowling all-rounder has elaborated on his decision to skip the second phase of the IPL 2021. Chris Woakes of Delhi Capitals earned a spot in England’s T20 squad and is among three English players to pull out of the UAE leg.

The 32-year old has put his international commitments ahead of the lucrative tournament. Chris Woakes wants to be available, fit and firing in England’s bid to win their second T20 crown and the Ashes in Australia soon after.

Chris Woakes, playing for his first-class side Warwickshire, preferred the T20 World Cup and the Ashes, claiming it would be an exciting few months for the English team. Thus, he had to sacrifice his IPL deal. The UAE leg of the IPL 2021 begins on September 19 and goes on till October 15, following which the T20 World Cup will begin in a couple of days.

“With the World Cup and the Ashes, it would have been too much in a short space of time. I would have loved to have been part of the IPL but something has to give. A World Cup and an Ashes tour, it’s almost as big a winter as our summer was in 2019.”

“It’s a shame with what’s going on Covid-wise that it’s not going to be as normal as everyone would like. But, from a cricket perspective, it’s very exciting,” Woakes said as quoted by The Guardian.

Story Image Ben Dwarshuis is the sixth-highest wicket-taker in the BBL Getty Images
Ben Dwarshuis is the sixth-highest wicket-taker in the BBL Getty Images

Chris Woakes further remarked that he was unaware of being part of the T20 squad. The right-arm seamer said the IPL has stumbled upon them at the end of their summer. Chris Woakes has featured in only 10 T20Is since debuting in early 2011. He was recalled after 6 years in T20Is and featured in 2 matches of the Sri Lanka T20Is in June 2021.

“My inclusion in the World Cup squad, I didn’t know was going to happen – especially a couple of months ago. The IPL has been rescheduled and thrown on to the end of our summer,” Woakes said as quoted by The Guardian.

Chris Woakes was part of the Delhi Capitals and took five wickets in three games in the first half at 16.40 apiece. The franchise announced Australian seamer Ben Dwarshuis as his replacement on Monday.

Chris Woakes Played Only 1 Test This Summer Against India

The 32-year old could only feature in one Test this summer, playing in the fourth Test at the Oval against India. He recovered from his heel injury to replace Sam Curran and picked up four wickets in the first innings. Chris Woakes followed it by scoring a crucial fifty.

The all-rounder was named in England squad for South Africa, Sri Lanka, and India series but wasn’t picked in the playing XI in any of the tours. The talented all-rounder underwent knee surgery before New Zealand Tests, which made him unavailable for the 2 match Test series against the Kiwis.

England’s Chris Woakes Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian
England’s Chris Woakes Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

Unfortunately, England slumped to a 157-run loss in the 4th Test. The fifth Test in Manchester was abandoned after India refused to take the field. It emerged later that the influx of COVID-19 cases within their support staff had created tensions in their minds.

Chris Woakes had pulled out of the remainder of the IPL because of personal reasons, joining Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Jonny Bairstow, Punjab Kings’ Dawid Malan, and Rajasthan Royals’ Jos Buttler in withdrawing from the tournament. The Delhi Capitals are currently on top of the IPL points table with 12 points from eight matches. They resume their campaign against the Sunrisers Hyderabad on September 22.

Chris Woakes did not feature in IPL 2020 but Delhi Capitals retained the England cricketer for the IPL 2021. He scored 15 runs and picked up 5 scalps in 3 games before IPL 2021 was suspended due to Covid-19. Overall, he has 30 scalps in 21 matches averaging 21.93 and scored 78 runs playing IPL 2017,2018, and 2021.

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Australia Test skipper Tim Paine (Photo | AP)
Australia Test skipper Tim Paine (Photo | AP)
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Australia Might Be Without Tim Paine During Ashes 2021/22

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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 which makes him doubtful for the all-important series against arch-rivals England. The 36-year-old, who hasn’t trained in the last six weeks, earlier believed that normal treatment would enable a complete recovery but that hasn’t been the case.

Tim Paine (File Photo/CricketAustralia)
Tim Paine (File Photo/CricketAustralia)

Australia Might Be Without The Services Of Tim Paine Who Will Undergo Neck Surgery Before Ashes 2021/22

The decision to go under the knife was made last week, which Tim Paine believes will give him the best opportunity to recover. The doctors feel the Tasmanian cricketer could start training within a month from the date of surgery, which gives him a month to prepare for the Ashes 2021-22. Tim Paine, who has been under the scanner for his inconsistency of late, will be desperate to prove his worth against the England side.

Ashes Urn Photo: cricket.com.au
Ashes Urn Photo: cricket.com.au

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. Australia has only played four Tests in the last 18 months – all against India last season – with the tour of South Africa earlier this year postponed due to Covid-19 concerns.

Tim Paine Grabbed The Spotlight For Commentating On The Afghanistan Issue

Tim Paine recently grabbed the spotlight, saying it will be difficult for Afghanistan to participate in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup, slated to commence on October 17 in the UAE and Oman.

Speaking to SEN radio show,Australian skipper Tim Paine said: “I don’t think we want to be associated with countries that are taking opportunities or things off literally half their population.”

“We’ve heard nothing from the ICC, which is fascinating given there is a T20 World Cup in just over a month’s time. I’d imagine it’s impossible [for Afghanistan to take part] if teams are pulling out of playing against them and governments are not letting them travel to our shores. How a team like that can be allowed to play in an ICC-sanctioned event is going to be very, very hard to see,” he added.

Meanwhile, former Afghanistan captain Asghar Afghan has hit back at Tim Paine in an open letter.

Addressing the Aussie cricketer, Afghan wrote: “It requires too much of hard work and dedication to reach this level of cricket. For a less privileged cricketing nation as Afghanistan with zero infrastructure and support, reaching where we are right now and playing shoulder to shoulder with top 10 countries requires sheer determination, passion, and talent,” Aghan said in the letter.

Asghar Afghan
Asghar Afghan. (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images)

“Therefore, you should refrain from delivering aggressive statements which would result in isolating the Afghan cricket,” he added.

Incidentally, Afghanistan is placed with India, Pakistan, New Zealand, and two qualifying teams in the Super 12s.

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Ashes Urn Photo: cricket.com.au
Ashes Urn Photo: cricket.com.au
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Manchester Test Cancellation Leads To Ashes 2021-22 Uncertainty

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Manchester Test – the fifth and final Test in the ongoing series has been postponed indefinitely in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak within the India contingent. BCCI said it was in talks with the ECB over conducting the Manchester Test at a later date.

The dramatic last-minute cancellation of the deciding fifth Manchester Test at Old Trafford between India and England has heightened the tension already surrounding the upcoming Ashes series, although English cricket’s top administrator still believes postponement is “probably not where we are going to end up”.

But with India having abandoned the fifth Manchester Test against England before a ball was bowled because of COVID-19 fears arising in a more relaxed ‘managed’ environment after officials deemed last year’s strict biosecure bubbles to be an unsustainable imposition on players in the long term, the upcoming Ashes could yet be played under tighter restrictions.

Manchester Test: The message on the scoreboard after the fifth Test was called off PA Photos/Getty Images
Manchester Test: The message on the scoreboard after the fifth Test was called off PA Photos/Getty Images

Manchester Test Cancellation Increased Tension For Ashes Which Would Be Played Under Tighter Restrictions

Several England cricketers have already expressed worries about the current situation in Australia, where arrivals are subject to lengthy quarantine, amid fears that their wives, girlfriends, and families may not be allowed to join them, as would normally be the case, at some stage during the five-match Ashes series.

It was not until just over two hours before Friday’s scheduled to start that the fifth Manchester Test was called off due to Covid-19 concerns within the India camp — a move that left English cricket facing a financial ‘black hole’ estimated at 40 million pounds ($55 million).

Ravi Shastri. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Ravi Shastri. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Reports that Yogesh Parmar, a physiotherapist in close contact with the players had tested positive for Covid appeared to be the final straw in persuading an India side already missing head coach Ravi Shastri, bowling coach Bharat Arun and fielding coach Ramakrishnan Sridhar due to positive Covid tests, with senior physiotherapist Nitin Patel self-isolating, not to take the field in the Manchester Test in a series they led 2-1.

Meanwhile, suggestions India had been too lax in their approach to the new environment, be it Ravi Shastri’s presence at a London launch of his new book featuring some 150 guests, or reports that several of the tourists’ players were out in Manchester on Thursday night are unlikely to have gone unnoticed by Australian officials.

It remains to be seen how the boards can work out a window for the Manchester Test, though one could possibly be carved out when India returns to England next year for a scheduled limited-overs series.

Tom Harrison: Ashes Series Is A Massive Deal For World Cricket

The England and Wales Cricket Board are currently in the process of trying to agree on a set of protocols with their counterparts at Cricket Australia, as well as the Australian government, under which the Ashes can operate. A complicating factor, however, is the ability of individual Australian states to impose their own unilateral lockdowns at a moment’s notice.

“An Ashes series is a massive deal for world cricket,” ECB chief executive Tom Harrison told The Times.

“I think (postponement) is probably not where we are going to end up. All the England players want to be part of it. I totally understand the players’ perspective on families being present and the conditions under which families are present. It’s a conversation we’re having with Cricket Australia and the Australian government.”

The latest edition of Test cricket’s oldest series is set to begin in Brisbane on December 8 before moving to Adelaide ahead of the traditional Boxing Day Test in Melbourne and further matches in Sydney and Perth.

ECB chief executive Tom Harrison. (Credits: Twitter)
ECB chief executive Tom Harrison. (Credits: Twitter)

While Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth are largely virus-free and fans are allowed into venues, Sydney and Melbourne are both in lockdown battling outbreaks of the Delta variant with case numbers and deaths rising. Tom Harrison insisted the ECB were simply trying to get answers to questions being asked by England players and had no intention of making excessive demands.

“No one is being unreasonable,” he said. “We just need to get clarity as soon as possible.”

England does not yet know if star all-rounder Ben Stokes, currently taking a break from all cricket to prioritize his mental health, will be available.

Tom Harrison, however, said: “No player has said no (to the tour). We’re speaking to players a lot about this…There’s nothing more important than the health and well-being of our players.”

Ben Stokes, who announced an indefinite break from cricket due to mental health issues ahead of the England and India Test series, is highly doubtful to attend Ashes 2021. Ben Stokes is also not part of the upcoming IPL 2021 UAE leg and wasn’t included in England’s ICC T20 World Cup 2021 squad.

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Ashes Urn Photo: cricket.com.au
Ashes Urn Photo: cricket.com.au
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England Cricket Team Yet To Be Informed Of The Itinerary For The Ashes 2021/22 Tour

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England cricket team is yet to be informed of the itinerary, travel plans, and accommodation for the Ashes tour. The Joe Root-led side is reportedly unhappy with the England Cricket Board (ECB) about being left in the dark regarding the proceedings.

The ECB is currently working with Cricket Australia to finalize the details of the tour slated to take place later this year. Skipper Joe Root and other senior players have reportedly been asking the ECB for updates, but there have been no developments to information as of yet.

England, PTI
England, PTI

England Cricket Team Yet To Be Informed Of The Itinerary, Travel Plans And Accommodations For The Ashes Tour

Response from Cricket Australia to the official tour schedule is being awaited so that England can confirm the availability of the players and send a contingent to Australia to win the urn back. The iconic five-match Test series last took place in 2019 and is at serious risk given Australia’s vulnerable condition with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic at the moment.

The nation recorded its highest number of cases involving the virus yesterday and has seen a surge of cases recently. There are concerns that the long-drawn-out series will not be possible given the rate at which Australia is closing its state borders.

Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes (Image Credit: Twitter)

England’s multi-format players, such as Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, Mark Wood, and Chris Woakes wouldn’t be willing to spend up about four months away from their families as they will fly to Australia straight from the UAE, where the T20 World Cup will be held.

Some of those will also participate in the second half of the IPL 2021. There is also a prospect of a postponed Ashes tour. Australia is the defending holders of the Ashes going into the series, having won in 2017–18 with the 2019 Ashes series ending in a draw.

Ben Stokes, who announced an indefinite break from cricket due to mental health issues ahead of the England vs India Test series, is highly doubtful to attend Ashes 2021. Ben Stokes is also not part of the upcoming IPL 2021 UAE leg and is highly doubtful for the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2021.

Pacer Jofra Archer has been already ruled out from playing for the entire year. Hence he will not be part of The Ashes 2021 as well. Jofra Archer is preparing for a comeback to the field in March 2022. Olly Stone has also been ruled to due to injury. Joe Root might have a tough job leading the team in the absence of prominent players.

Jos Buttler Hinted He Won’t Be A Part Of The Squad Touring Australia If Families Aren’t Allowed In Australia

England’s players have already cast their doubts over traveling to Australia to compete in the Ashes. Jos Buttler has hinted that he would not be part of the squad if families are not allowed to travel together with the squad. Ben Stokes could also miss the series due to his indefinite break from the sport. The all-rounder is a doubt for the T20 World Cup in the UAE as well.

England batsman Jos Buttler
England batsman Jos Buttler (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Pace bowlers Jofra Archer and Olly Stone have already been ruled out due to injuries. Skipper Joe Root is also apparently worried about leading a weakened squad if senior members pull out of the tour. He believes this is his last chance to claim the Ashes as captain, and the task will be tougher fielding a second-string side against Australia away from home.

England had a horrid record in Australia in the recent past. They have only managed to rack up a single victory across the last two editions of the Ashes played Down Under. They lost the 2013-14 Ashes by a 5-0 margin and followed it up with a 4-1 defeat in the 2017-18 edition.

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England batsman Jos Buttler
England batsman Jos Buttler (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
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Jos Buttler’s Participation In Rest Of India Series Uncertain

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Jos Buttler’s participation in the rest of the series is uncertain although the England camp would be ecstatic following their comprehensive innings victory against India in the third Test. But there might be a bit of tension as well with dark clouds looming over wicket-keeper Jos Buttler’s availability.

For the unversed, Jos Buttler’s wife, Louise, is due to give birth to their second child soon. Jos Buttler even admitted that he might miss the fifth and final Test. However, his participation in the fourth Test at the Kennington oval is also not certain.

Jos Buttler
Jos Buttler of England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Jos Buttler’s Participation In The Next 4th And 5th Tests Is Uncertain But Joe root Remained Tight-Lipped

After all, England skipper Joe Root, after the conclusion of the third Test, refused to give assurance about Jos Buttler’s participation. Speaking on the matter, Joe Root said that things will be clearer as the game approaches. However, he remained tight-lipped about the veteran wicket-keeper’s plans.

“That will be cleared up in the next couple of days. Hopefully, we can have some clarity on that and get that across to you as soon as that’s set in stone. I couldn’t tell you honestly either way at the minute. I don’t want to say one thing and it not turn out to be true,” Root was quoted as saying.

Joe Root, Jos Buttler , ECB Twitter
Joe Root, Jos Buttler, ECB Twitter

Meanwhile, Jonny Bairstow is all but likely to take the gloves if Jos Buttler misses the remaining series. After the first three games, the series is perfectly poised at 1-1 and both teams would be determined to clinch the next game. The fourth Test gets underway on September 2 at the Kennington Oval in London.

Jos Buttler May Miss UAE Leg Of IPL 2021 And The Ashes

Notably, the decision of skipping the final two games might put Jos Buttler’s Test career at a standstill. Following the India series, England’s next assignment in the longest format is the high-voltage Ashes 2021-22 in Australia. While as many as 10 English players are reportedly planning to pull out of the series due to uncertainty over family’s allowance, only Jos Buttler has opened up about his position in public.

“One of the challenges is working out where the line is where you say, “I can’t do that”. I’ve sacrificed a lot for cricket and my wife and family have sacrificed a lot. You have to be open to saying no. It would be incredibly disappointing if some players feel like they can’t do it, but we’re in a world at the moment where that is a possibility,” Buttler had said.

England’s wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler said he might skip the end-of-year Ashes tour over concerns about being apart from his family due to Australia’s COVID-19 restrictions. England will play the Twenty20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates in October and November before heading to Australia, likely keeping players who feature in both away from home for four months.

Jos Buttler
Jos Buttler[photo: BCCI/Twitter]
After pulling out of the remainder of the Indian Premier League Twenty20 tournament, Jos Buttler said he may also miss the end of the ongoing Test series with India due to his wife expecting their second child. The five-Test Ashes series is slated to be held from December 8 to January 18.
The swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batsman had scored 328 runs in the IPL 2020 and 254 runs in 7 games in the IPL 2021 averaging 36.28. While he had to leave IPL 2019 midway to join the England team for the World Cup 2019 preparations, he made an impact during his eight-game stint, scoring 311 runs, following his 548-run season in IPL 2018 where he averaged 54.8.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler hit the top gear against Sunrisers Hyderabad by smashing 124 off 64 balls in an IPL 2021 match. Rajasthan Royals opener Jos Buttler wasn’t at his usual best before he came to his own with a scintillating 124 versus Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), just a few days before BCCI suspended the tournament due to Covid-19 threat.

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England, PTI
England, PTI
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England Faces Mass Withdrawal In Ashes 2021-22 Due To Australia’s Stringent Quarantine Rules

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England faces mass withdrawal before Ashes owing to Australia’s hard quarantine rules. As many as 10 England players could be forced to pull out of the Ashes tour of Australia if an agreement is not arrived at over travel and quarantine arrangements for their families.
According to a report, unhappy with Cricket Australia’s lack of progress on this front, many English players are considering pulling out if their demands are not met.
Cricket Australia
Cricket Australia

England Players May Pull Out As Australia Has The Strictest Quarantine Norms

At a meeting of the England squad at Headingley this week, it is understood there was mounting frustration about a lack of progress by Cricket Australia over quarantine rules. Australia has some of the strictest COVID-19 quarantine regulations in place and its own cricketers are currently serving two weeks in an Adelaide hotel after returning from a white-ball tour of West Indies and Bangladesh. The Australian players are also not allowed to train at the moment.

Joe Root and Tim Paine in Ashes 2019
Joe Root and Tim Paine in Ashes 2019 (Image Credit: Getty)

England’s multi-format players, such as Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, Mark Wood, Chris Woakes, wouldn’t be willing to spend up about four months away from their families as they will fly to Australia straight from the UAE, where the T20 World Cup will be held. Some of those will also participate in the second half of the IPL 2021. There is also a prospect of a postponed Ashes tour.

Cricket Australia Working With The ECB On The Proposed Make-Up Of England Touring Party

It is understood that Cricket Australia doesn’t have enough influence over the government there and even individual states can impose a ban or shut the city entirely on quick notice, disturbing all the agreements made before the players left the UK. CA said on Saturday it was working closely with government and health officials in its quest to find a solution.

“Cricket Australia continues to work closely with the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) and government authorities in Australia regarding the upcoming Ashes series, which will be the centerpiece for one of the biggest summers of cricket on record,” a CA statement read.

England batsman Jos Buttler
England batsman Jos Buttler (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

“We are currently planning the operational requirements of this tour and working with the ECB on the proposed make-up of the England touring party. As was the case last season, CA will work constructively and in partnership with government to deliver the summer of cricket, while ensuring the health, wellbeing, and safety of the community.”

England’s wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler said he might skip the end-of-year Ashes tour over concerns about being apart from his family due to Australia’s COVID-19 restrictions. England will play the Twenty20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates in October and November before heading to Australia, likely keeping players who feature in both away from home for four months.

After pulling out of the remainder of the Indian Premier League Twenty20 tournament, Jos Buttler said he may also miss the end of the ongoing Test series with India due to his wife expecting their second child. The five-Test Ashes series is slated to be held from December 8 to January 18.

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Jofra Archer Frustrated At Missing Out On International Cricket In 2021

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Jofra Archer, England fast bowler has admitted that missing out on international cricket due to a recurring elbow issue has been frustrating. At the same time, he asserted that he remains positive about his future as a Test cricketer as he is still only 26.

Jofra Archer was ruled out of the entire 2021 season following a recurrence of the stress fracture in his elbow. Apart from the ongoing Test series against India, Jofra Archer will also miss The Ashes and the T20 World Cup.

Jofra Archer - GETTY IMAGES
Jofra Archer – GETTY IMAGES

Jofra Archer Feels Frustrated To Miss Series Against India, Ashes, And T20I World Cup

Jofra Archer wrote while pouring his heart out in a column for The Daily Mail. England fast bowler Jofra Archer still believes he has a Test future as he targeted a return to the five-day format during next year’s tour of the West Indies.

The 26-year-old was ruled out of the current Test series against India and the Ashes tour of Australia, as well as the T20 World Cup that falls between those campaigns – after suffering a stress fracture in his right elbow.

“When I got the news that I’d be out for the rest of 2021 because I had suffered another stress fracture in my elbow, it was pretty tough to take. But I’ve always been of the view that everything happens for a reason, and the injury doesn’t change the way I look at my career.”

Jofra Archer made his Test debut at Lord’s against Australia last year. (Source: Reuters)
Jofra Archer made his Test debut at Lord’s against Australia last year. (Source: Reuters)

“I’ve said many times before that Test cricket is the most important format to me and nothing has changed in that respect. It’s frustrating to be sitting out an important series against India, as well as not being to make the trip to Australia this winter — not to mention the Twenty20 World Cup in the UAE.

“If I do end up with another stress fracture, I may have a different view on things as regards to my future. But for the moment, I’m still only 26 and I think my best years as a Test cricketer are ahead of me,” he added.

The 26-year-old Barbados-born pacer explained that he got operated on in May because he wanted to sort out the problem once and for all and start helping win games for England.

Jofra Archer: There’s A Chance To Be Ready In Time For England’s 3 Test Series Against West Indies

While he did not commit to it, Jofra Archer hinted that he is targeting a comeback for the three-Test series against West Indies in the Caribbean.

“I’m trying to be cautious about when I make my comeback, but I guess there’s a chance I’ll be ready in time for England’s three-Test series against West Indies in the Caribbean in March. But I can’t make any promises, and I’ll be seeing a specialist soon about the elbow.”

Jofra Archer. (Image Source: Twitter)
Jofra Archer. (Image Source: Twitter)

“Tim Bresnan had a similar problem, and we spoke about the issue which made me a bit nervous, I must admit. But I’m sure it will be fine in the long run, and I’m grateful that the injury doesn’t stop me going about my daily business. It’s not as if I’m limping around, or anything like that,” he further wrote.

Jofra Archer last played international cricket during the tour of India in March this year. He featured in all five T20Is before being ruled out of the one-day series.

Jofra Archer, the England fast bowler, was forced home from the tour of India at the start of the year and subsequently forced to pull out of the IPL 2021 due to pain in the elbow. He underwent surgery to remove a bone fragment from the elbow in May.
After returning to bowling with his county side, Sussex, in recent weeks he felt increasing discomfort and was sent for further scans. These revealed he had suffered a recurrence of the stress fracture that first became apparent in South Africa at the start of 2020.
As a result, the ECB has announced he will play no part in the Test series against India, the T20 World Cup, or the Ashes. Given that he has only played six Tests, three ODIs, and 11 T20Is since he was first troubled by the problem, the news is bound to raise question marks about Jofra Archer’s future career.

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Ian Chappell
Ian Chappell
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Joe Root Isn’t The Right Man To Be England Skipper As He Loses The Plot: Ian Chappell

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Joe Root, England skipper has come under the scanner after England’s capitulation against India at Lord’s, with Australian legend Ian Chappell saying that Joe Root is not the first guy to captain England. England had the 2nd Lord’s Test under control at one stage on day 5 with Rishabh Pant back in the hut. After that, Joe Root’s England deployed a strange tactic of unleashing a barrage of bouncers against India’s tail instead of targeting their wickets.

Resuming from 181-6, leading by only 154 runs, India was soon reduced to 209-8, losing both their overnight batsmen in the form of Rishabh Pant and Ishant Sharma before the pair of Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah’s partnership changed the course of the match, tilting it in favour of India.

Joe Root
Joe Root Photograph: Sri Lanka Cricket

Joe Root Isn’t The Right Man To Be England Skipper As He Loses The Plot: Ian Chappell

Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah negated the bouncers easily and added a record 89 runs for the ninth wicket to post a target of 272 which was enough for the visitors to seal a win. Speaking to Wide World of Sports, Ian Chappell raised concerns about Joe Root’s leadership skills with the Ashes to follow later this year.

“He just loses the plot,” Ian Chappell said. “His main problem is he doesn’t have a feel for the situation. England have got themselves in a corner, because somebody should have realised a while ago that Joe isn’t the right guy, especially against the better teams.”

Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah leave the field after putting India in front
Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah leave the field after putting India in front © Getty Images

He further added: “What are you going to do? Change captain on the eve of an Ashes series? That’s not a good idea. But by picking him as captain, you’re giving yourself very little chance of winning.”

Ever since he took over the job from Alastair Cook in 2017, Joe Root has led England in 54 matches and has won 26 out of them with a winning percentage of 48.14. England lost the plot with their bowling strategies against Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami in the first session on Day 5.

Mohammed Shami hit a fifty and Jasprit Bumrah hanged around for a solid unbeaten 34 as the two tail-enders added unbeaten 89 runs for the 9th wicket. India then returned to the field with their pacers charged up. After picking up 2 wickets early, India went on to bowl England out for 120 in less than 52 overs to go 1-0 up in the 5-match series.

Ian Chappell: England Has Got Serious Problems Now

Ian Chappell, who led Australia in 30 Tests, stressed that England has a lot of questions to answer before they tour Australia for the all-important Ashes.

“They’ve got serious problems now, because they’ve let the situation deteriorate, to the point where they have to make changes at a time when you don’t want to be making changes,” Ian Chappell said.

Ian Chappell. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Ian Chappell. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

“At this point, they really want to be settled against India leading into the Ashes. But they’re anything but settled,” he added.

The opening combination of Rory Burns and Dominic Sibley has failed repeatedly and may be changed for the 3rd Test, which begins on 25th August. The top three especially have been under fire since the start of this year. England already dropped Zak Crawley from the XI after his string of low scores.
Haseeb Hameed was brought back into the England XI after almost five years, but even he looked tentative at Lord’s. He made a golden duck and a patient 45-ball 9 in the first and second innings respectively.  Dawid Malan and James Vince, both of whose last Test came in 2018, are both under serious consideration to fill the opener’s spot for the third Test.

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Jofra Archer made his Test debut at Lord’s against Australia last year. (Source: Reuters)
Jofra Archer made his Test debut at Lord’s against Australia last year. (Source: Reuters)
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England Can’t Win 2021-22 Ashes Without Pacer Jofra Archer, Says Michael Clarke

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Michael Clarke has stated that England stands no chance of winning the Ashes series Down Under later this year without the services of paceman Jofra Archer, who has been sidelined with a shoulder injury. The former Australian captain also hoped for an improved performance from the hosts.

England’s last Ashes triumph in Australia came in 2010-11 when they’d taken the series with three games to one under Andrew Strauss. It remains their only success Down Under since 1986-87. After going down 0-4 in 2017-18, England failed to reclaim the honours at home in the 2019 edition that followed, which ended at 2-2.

Michael Clarke. (Photo Source: Getty Images)
Michael Clarke. (Photo Source: Getty Images)(Photo by Pramod Thakur/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)

Michael Clarke: England Can’t Win Without Jofra Archer

Joe Root’s men went into the final Test of that series at The Oval trailing 1-2, facing an uphill challenge against an in-form Australia. However, much like he had done at the World Cup earlier that summer, Jofra Archer made a decisive impact in the decider, returning with 6/62 in the first innings to set up England’s series-levelling 135-run win.

Jofra Archer eventually finished as the third-highest wicket-taker in the series, with 22 scalps at 20.27. In 2021, his longevity in Test cricket now seems in jeopardy, courtesy of a recurring elbow injury. The 26-year-old has been ruled out of all cricket for the remainder of the year, which includes the T20 World Cup in the UAE and the Ashes tour.

Jofra Archer - GETTY IMAGES
Jofra Archer – GETTY IMAGES

Michael Clarke, who had led Australia to a 5-0 whitewash in his last Ashes series at home, believes that Jofra Archer’s absence has dented the visitors’ chances significantly ahead of the next edition.

“They can’t win without him. England cannot beat Australia in Australia without Jofra Archer,” Clarke was quoted saying on Sky Sports Big Sports Breakfast on Friday, August 6.

“No Ben Stokes either, they’re cooked. Their batting is not that good. He (Archer) is their fear factor. Without Archer I think they’re cooked.”

Ben Stokes, who too may be unavailable, compounds England’s problems. He took an indefinite break from all forms of cricket with immediate effect, England Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed in a statement. Ben Stokes didn’t take part in the 1st Test and won’t do so in the remainder of the ongoing series against India.

The 30-year-old will also be nursing his left index finger which has not fully healed before he led England’s limited-overs squad against Pakistan in the absence of skipper Eoin Morgan and the rest of the team as they were in isolation following Covid-19 positive report from 7 members including 3 players.

Michael Clarke Hopeful Of An Improvement From Australia In The Ashes

Australia had gone down to India in their last Test assignment at home, with Marnus Labuschagne, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood being their standout performers in a closely fought series. Michael Clarke is optimistic of an improved all-round show from Tim Paine’s side against England.

“Our quicks and Nathan Lyon should perform better than against India,” said the former World Cup-winning captain Michael Clarke. “The batting is another year older and another year wiser. I think you’ll see a better team (in the Ashes).”

Marnus Labuschagne
Marnus Labuschagne (Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Marnus Labuschagne scored 426 runs averaging 53.25 while Steve Smith scored 313 runs averaging 44.71 and were Australia’s leading run-scorers in the 2020/21 Border Gavaskar Trophy won by India.

Josh Hazlewood(17), Pat Cummins(21) were among the wickets while Mitchell Starc (11) and Nathan Lyon (9) were disappointing, to say the least. In fact, Mitchell Starc’s average was above 40 while Nathan Lyon’s average was 55.

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