3 minute read
Australia's national cricket side will soon mark their COVID-19 comeback in England, having been given the green light for a limited-overs tour.
AUSTRALIA'S LIMITED-OVERS TOUR OF ENGLAND HAS BEEN LOCKED IN
WHO IS IN THE SQUAD?
Aaron Finch (capt), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Riley Meredith, Josh Philippe, Daniel Sams, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa.
WHY SUCH A BIG SQUAD?
Flying in additional mid-tour replacements won't be practical nor possible given the COVID-19 pandemic and various protocols that have allowed the tour to go ahead.
WHAT ARE THE SQUAD'S MOVEMENTS?
They will board a charter flight in Perth on August 23, with players from every state given government approval to transit in Western Australia on the same date. They will land in London, head straight to Derby for some tune-ups before playing three Twenty20s and three ODIs against England. The touring party will stay in hotels that are built into grounds' grandstands, ensuring they never have to leave the biosecurity bubble for training or games.
WHAT COMES AFTER THAT?
Some players will board a charter flight to the United Arab Emirates for the Indian Premier League, others will head home directly. They will serve the mandatory two-week quarantine period upon touching down in Australia. However, Cricket Australia is hoping to negotiate a concession that will allow players to leave hotels to train. That issue is particularly pertinent for fast bowlers, who are at increased risk of injury if they can't build up workloads before the home Test summer.
WHEN DID AUSTRALIA MOST RECENTLY PLAY?
March 13, when Australia won a trans-Tasman ODI in front of empty stands at the SCG. No national sporting team has left Australia since, although individual athletes have flown out as professional sport restarts amid the health crisis.
WHEN ARE THE GAMES ON?
* Friday, Sept 4: 1st T20 International, The Ageas Bowl, Southampton
* Sunday, Sept 6: 2nd T20 International, The Ageas Bowl, Southampton
* Tuesday, Sept 8: 3rd T20 International, The Ageas Bowl, Southampton
* Friday, Sept 11: 1st ODI, Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
* Sunday, Sept 13: 2nd ODI, Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
* Wednesday, Sept 16: 3rd ODI, Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester.
