An ECB board meeting on Friday approved the tour "subject to several critical conditions being met," regarding COVID restrictions.
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Matthew Wade, Australia’s wicketkeeper, said he would not pass judgement on England’s concerns about Covid requirements while travelling for the Ashes. England’s Ashes tour will go ahead with full strength after the England and Wales Cricket Board gave the trip to Australia the conditional green light. An ECB board meeting on Friday approved the tour “subject to several critical conditions being met,” while it is understood that players will have some leeway to train outside during their mandatory 14-day quarantine period upon entry into the country.
“In these times, it’s challenging for everyone,” Wade said speaking to reporters from hotel quarantine in Abu Dhabi ahead of the T20 World Cup. “You know, it’s easy to judge people and decisions that individuals are making but until you’ve been put in these environments, in these positions, and had to play under these conditions, I think it’s hard to pass judgement on anyone,” the Australian wicket-keeper added.
Australia will face England in the World Cup group stage, more than a month before the first Ashes Test begins in Brisbane. “Some guys struggle more with quarantine than others, there’s no hiding that,” Wade continued. “That’s the challenge that professional cricketers have at the moment. You know, our sport is played overseas, we have to go overseas to play and to keep the game going, we understand that, and (some) individuals find it harder than others. There’s no difference between what England are going through now to what every other team goes through to go away and play.”
“It’s not easy and I don’t pass judgement on any team or any individual for the challenges that they’re facing. They’re trying to work it all out. And I’m confident the Ashes is going to go ahead. It’s never been a doubt in my mind, to be honest. But there are challenging parts of it,” the Aussie concluded.
Australian captain Tim Paine had insisted earlier that the Ashes would go ahead despite some England players’ reservations about quarantine restrictions. Paine’s remarks come after Joe Root and a number of other English players expressed concerns about the upcoming tour Down Under, with many suffering from “bubble fatigue.” Many players are hesitant to travel because their families will be unable to accompany them due to Australia’s strict restrictions, and Jos Buttler is hoping for clarity soon after stating that he would not travel if his family was unable to accompany him. Paine is unconcerned about whether English players want to come or not and has offered them the option of opting out of the Ashes series.
“The Ashes are going ahead,” the Australian captain had said on radio station, SEN Hobart.
“The first Test is on December 8 – whether Joe is here or not. 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,” he added.
