The IPL bound Australian cricketers who had jetted off to the Maldives after the suspension of the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League returned home safely after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) arranged a chartered flight for the Australian players to make them reach home safe and sound.
Cricket Australia’s interim CEO Nick Hockley on Monday expressed his gratitude to the BCCI for ensuring that the Australian players reached their homes safely and quickly from the island nation.
The 14th edition of the cash-rich league had to be suspended indefinitely on May 4 after several COVID cases were reported inside respective bio-bubbles. The entire Australian contingent had flown off to the Maldives after borders were shut for passengers coming from India.
The thirty-eight members of the Australian contingent which included players, support staffs and commentators were stranded in the Maldives owing to the travel ban. Meanwhile, CSK batting coach Michael Hussey who had contracted COVID is expected to reach Australia via a separate flight on Monday.
"We're delighted. We're really grateful to the BCCI for getting them home quickly and safely. I haven't spoken to them since they've landed, but obviously, we've been in text exchange and I'm sure they'll be very relieved and very appreciative to be home," Nick Hockley was quoted as saying by tbe Sydney Morning Herald.
Cricket Australia named a 23 member preliminary squad for the limited-overs series on the Caribbean shores in July. Australia will tour West Indies for a five-match T20I series and a three-match ODI series in July and Hockley is optimistic of their chances against the world champions in the shortest format.
"We plan each tour as we go. We've got a bit of time now before West Indies. International cricket will need to support each other, we've seen last summer, with India coming here, what a great series that was, and we're committed to supporting other cricketing nations around the world," said Hockley.