Reports: Cricket Australia turns down ECB’s request to shift first Ashes Test to Sydney

Cricket Australia, reportedly, has turned down the England and Wales Cricket Board’s request to shift the opening Test of the Ashes to Sydney. For the time being, the game is scheduled to take place from Wednesday, December 8 at The Gabba in Brisbane. Earlier, the ECB gave a green signal for the upcoming five-match series to take place subject to certain conditions.

The Three Lions are set to fly to Brisbane next month to prepare for the series. However, tough quarantine rules in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic await them. The Brits need to go through an isolation of 14 days upon their arrival in Brisbane. Previously, it was learned that the English players showed their complacency to go to Australia because of the quarantine protocols.

Australia not in favour of Sydney hosting opening Test

The ECB picked Sydney as the host for the opening Test due to a couple of reasons. The New South Wales is set to become the first Australian state to allow fully vaccinated travellers from November. Moreover, the visitors won’t need to undergo the mandatory quarantine period if they are tested negative for COVID-19. The players also backed their cricket board.

As per Daily Mail, CA didn’t quite find the move feasible. The Australian board reckoned that other states’ border controls may put Joe Root and Co. in trouble. Australia felt that it could lead to unnecessary disruption of the series. As of now, the Sydney Cricket Ground is set to host the fourth Test of the series, scheduled to be played from January 5 to January 9.

Earlier, former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen hit out at Australia and their government for the strict quarantine rules. The veteran said that the players must be fed up of staying in bio-secure bubbles.

“There is NO WAY I would go to The Ashes this winter.  ZERO chance!  Unless, the ridiculous quarantine rules were squashed and my family could travel with zero restrictions. Players are now done with bubbles! DONE!!!!!!!,” Pietersen tweeted.

However, Tim Paine, the Australian Test captain, was of the opinion that Pietersen should leave the decision of participation to the players. Apart from Brisbane and Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth will host the other three Tests.