ACA chief warns Australian players, asks them to choose overseas T20 leagues wisely in this pandemic

The Australian Cricketers Association chief executive Todd Greenberg gave an informal warning to the Aussie cricketers regarding their preference of playing overseas T20 leagues at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is creating a ruckus all around the world especially in India. Greenberg asked them to do their homework while choosing to play in T20 leagues in these tumultuous times. 

The 14th edition of the Indian Premier had to be suspended after 29 matches after two KKR players tested positive for COVID. In the next two days, more players and support staffs from different bio-bubbles started testing positive which forced the BCCI to postpone the tournament with immediate effect. This is the second tournament in a short while after the Pakistan Super League to be suspended midway. 

With a huge 40 contingent Australian players and commentators, all of them were stranded in India after the borders were shut for visitors travelling from India atleast till 15th May. The 14 cricketers part of the tournament is now expected to travel to the Maldives and then fly back to Australia via a connecting flight. 

"I'm not sure it will create reticence but it will ensure players do their due diligence before they sign agreements," Greenberg was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

"The world is literally changing before our eyes particularly with Covid and on that side of the world, obviously, those cases are going up exponentially,” he further added. 

Several other Australian cricketers withdrew their name from the IPL even before the start of the tournament which included the likes of Mitchell Marsh, Josh Philippe and Josh Hazlewood. Meanwhile, players like Liam Livingstone, Adam Zampa, Kane Richardson and Andrew Tye pulled out midway through the tournament. They narrowly managed to fly back home just in the nick of times before the Australian government closed their borders for anyone travelling from India. 

"We're enjoying our freedoms here in Australia. It is a very different place over there. If anything it sends a message to players about making sure you do your homework before making any decisions," Greenberg was quoted by ESPN Cricinfo. 

He promised that the Australian cricketers will be taken care of after they return to the country knowing the fact that many are dealing with anxiety after the virus breached four different bio-bubbles. 

"I was at pains to point it out during the week, the public will see our best Australian cricketers as almost superheroes, they're brilliant athletes, great cricketers, but they're human beings, some of them are fathers and husbands and they're under enormous amounts of stress," Greenberg said.

"Some deal with it differently. This will probably be an experience they will never forget. We will help them when they come home. Some will cope with it really well, others will need support and counselling and that's what we'll do,” he concluded.