Australia vs India: Adelaide Test doubtful after strict lockdown measures in South Australia

Team India is already in Australia training in Sydney ahead of the three-match ODI series starting on November 27. The two teams will be locking horns in three T20Is as well with the limited-overs matches set to be played in Sydney and Canberra. The four-match Test series will then begin on December 17 in Adelaide which is currently under the scanner due to the spike in COVID-19 cases in South Australia.

Cricket Australia (CA) has already taken steps to make sure that the series is not under threat. The board airlifted its Test-bound players including the skipper Tim Paine from South Australia. Some of the players are still in quarantine as well having returning from the UAE after playing in the Indian Premier League. It all began with as many as 18 new cases of COVID-19 being detected in South Australia on November 16 which rung the alarm bells.

Currently, there are 34 active cases in the state and to make sure the number is decreased, the government has enforced strict lockdown for six days starting from November 18. Moreover, CricTracker understands that the Adelaide will host the D/N Test starting on December 17 only if the cases reduce in the state. If the number of COVID cases come down, all the lockdown measures will be lifted possibly a few days before the first Test.

Indian players in Sydney not allowed to meet in Hotel

Meanwhile, team India is training at the SCG during their quarantine period but the players have been restricted not to meet each other in hotel at all. There is nothing much to worry for people in Sydney as of now with no local COVID-19 cases. At the moment, there are five overseas cases if the data until November 18 is considered. The officials are only taking precaution with respect to restricting players from meeting in the hotel.

The Indian team is currently staying at the Sydney Olympic Park beside the hotel where the players from the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) are placed. Interestingly, Drummoyne Oval in Sydney and SCG will also see the visitors playing two practice games ahead of the Test series. Currently, the only concern for CA would be the cases in South Australia and they will be hoping for the situation to improve for the D/N Test in Adelaide to go ahead.