Australian cricketers are facing the prospect of a Christmas separated from their families as they prepare for a long summer in biosecurity bubbles.
In Adelaide after Australia’s ODI series win in England, coach Justin Langer – and a number of players – are experiencing the reality of professional sport in the COIVD-19 era.
Langer is completing a two-week quarantine at the new Adelaide Oval hotel before doing it all again when he returns home to Perth.
But isolated stints in hotel rooms will be common place for cricketers as Australia gears up to host a blockbuster four-Test series against India.
The Boxing Day Test is tentatively booked for the MCG, but the marquee match could be shifted from its usual home depending on Victoria’s coronavirus situation.
Langer says finding a balance between family time and playing will be need to be found during a complex and unique home summer.
“That is something I have talked about for the last four or five months with Cricket Australia,” he told reporters.
“We are talking about it with the ACA (Australian Cricketers’ Association). It’s one of the contentious issues at the moment.
“The quarantine issues are going to cause the greatest angst for the families.
“Every opportunity we are going to get for our players and support staff to see their families we are definitely going to take it.
“It’s really problematic but it’s the sacrifices we’re going to have to make.”
Even though the Sheffield Shield fixture is yet to be finalised, Langer expects four rounds to take place before the red-ball series against Virat Kohli’s star-studded Indian squad.
“We’re getting closer (to a schedule). There are so many complexities,” he said.
“We’re all really keen to get it locked down and I’m sure that it will happen soon.”
Paul
Roar Guru
That was my first thought as well Joshua but I didn't want to write about that for fear of being castigated by those who are in love with T20 cricket ( I'm not a fan at all). I've no issues with people who want to play in these leagues but find it hard to sympathise when issues about missing family are raised.
Joshua Kerr
Roar Guru
I get it if they have to stay away from their families for international and state cricket - that is part of the job. But competing in the IPL is an optional extra in my eyes and, as such, it is my opinion that if you want a rest and some family time then you don't go to the IPL. Simple. The central contract salary is sizeable enough to live comfortably on. Go play domestic cricket in between the internationals whenever possible to keep your match fitness in check, obviously, because that is also part of the job, but these T20 leagues are not part of the job. (Excluding if you just play T20 cricket but my argument still stands in general.)
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Not sure the empathy is quite there this year for this perennial whinge about family time from elite highly paid professionals
Paul
Roar Guru
I'm sure you're right about players missing their families when they're away from home for long periods, but as we know there are plenty of people in various industries who are away for months at a time too. Right now, I've got several friends who are stranded in other countries and have been since February. They're not likely to get back to their families till perhaps June next year. For the cricketers, there's still time for things to change, assuming the health situation continues to improve around the country. Hopefully they can spend at least Christmas Day together.
Spanner
Roar Rookie
Our test players in the days of old had six month tours of England, while taking leave from their jobs. I'm sure they missed their families.
Paul
Roar Guru
I'd certainly like to see the Test players in particular spend Christmas with their families, but on the other hand, these are professional sports people who have made a life from touring. Many will have been away from family for the best part of 3 months, once they complete the English tour and IPL, so missing Christmas with family, while far from ideal, is part of the job.