England may field under-strength side in Ashes with players unwilling on Covid norms

The possibility of England not sending a full-strength team to Australia for the Ashes series scheduled towards the end of the year is growing with each passing day. It has been reported that the players are refusing to give up their demands while discussing the terms of the tour with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

As per an ESPNCricinfo report, England players are reluctant to tour Down Under with current quarantine and Covid-19 containment measures being place in Australia. They may get ready to face the strict quarantine for a period of a fortnight but they are extremely reluctant to put their families in isolation for such a long time. 

Also complicating the issue is there are players who will be there in the Indian Premier League, then the ICC World T20 and hence if not travelling with family for such a long period of time is also not tenable for few players.

The report further suggested that England players might be provided with a resort hotel in Gold Coast but their movement is likely to be limited to outdoor works for just two hours a day and the players are not finding it a sustainable model.

Players have also floated the idea of postponing the series with the first Test starting on Boxing Day in Melbourne instead of the original schooled start on December 09 at the Gabba. Players argue that shifting the dates of the series will allow them a window to spend some time with the family after featuring in the T20 World Cup. 

Players have also put forward an idea of splitting the Ashes series into two series spread across a year’s time. Players have recommended to the ECB that they can be given an option of playing two or three Tests of the series in December-January 2021-22 while the remaining portion of the tour will be completed at the same time next year. 

The ECB has not accepted any of the ideas floated by the players and the whole team including the support staff are not miffed with ECB’s lack of consideration. Hence, they might as a whole unit “boycott” the Ashes series, ESPNCricinfo report suggested.

It could well be argued that Cricket Australia is already marred in disputes with the free to air broadcaster Channel 7 over financial losses to them due to shifting the schedule of the last summer against India. Hence, the ECB has limited options to convince Cricket Australia to agree to players’ demands.