Cricket Australia will ask the BCCI for its official stance on the Gabba Test as confusion continues over the series finale in Brisbane.
Reports surfaced again on Thursday morning that India would push to move the Test away from Queensland, as their frustration over hotel quarantine grows.
India captain Ajinkya Rahane on Wednesday night refused to confirm if they would play in Brisbane next week, instead leaving the decision with team management.
At this stage though CA is yet to receive a formal complaint from the BCCI or field any official request to move the Test.
It’s believed CA officials will make contact with BCCI bosses on Thursday to seek clarification on the situation – which has now been bubbling for more than a week after exemptions were granted to closed cross the border from Sydney into Queensland.
Tim Paine admitted on Wednesday he felt uncertain about the venue for the fourth Test because India “hold a lot of power in world cricket, it’s likely that it could happen”.
Speaking at the toss on Thursday, Paine declared his team is “happy to play anywhere, any time”.
“We will go about our business in this Test and go where we have to go,” Australia’s skipper said.
“Whatever happens off the field between the boards is out of our control.”
Rahane, asked about the speculation on Thursday morning, replied: “We are just focusing on this Test”.
It’s understood CA presented its plans to the BCCI on December 29, which included players having to stay in hotel rooms in Sydney and Brisbane.
That is said to have been agreed to by Indian authorities at the time and has since been approved by Queensland Health.
CA has heard nothing from the BCCI since but has watched on as sources within the Indian camp complain about the set-up in Queensland.
The governing body wants to know if those are the views of BCCI boss Sourav Ganguly, who was recently hospitalised after a heart scare, and secretary Jay Shah.
Quarantine conditions are effectively the same in Sydney and Brisbane, with players confined to their hotels but allowed out of their individual rooms.
The only difference is that those parameters are set by CA in Sydney, as opposed to the Queensland government in Brisbane.
Players will only spend two days in Brisbane before the series finale begins at the Gabba, where Australia haven’t lost a Test since 1988.
India’s chief issue appears to be that they have already served two weeks in quarantine on arrival to Australia, and cannot understand why there are further restrictions.
However, the situation has changed in Sydney since their arrival and when they played white-ball games in the city, given the recent outbreak and ensuing closure of state borders.
Rahane on Wednesday made the point three times that India were living in stricter conditions than the general public in Sydney.
“It is a challenge but we have to face it as a team,” he said.
“We’re not complaining or anything … the BCCI and team management will make any decisions (about Brisbane).”
Cadfael
Roar Guru
It seems they have now agreed to go to Brisbane. Story on the Fox Sports site. https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/australia/cricket-australia-vs-india-brisbane-test-gabba-covid19-scores-news/news-story/a176574a37551069ae6c95284d35796a Interesting to know why the change in heart.
People
Guest
People need to remember that it's a new age. India is on the precipice of becoming a superpower and in cricket they are the kings. Their IPL is the biggest and best and their stars are the icons of the game. People tune in to watch Rohit and bumrah not Starc and weirdo Marnoose. They've already done cricket Australia a huge favour by accepting the tour during a global pandemic. They had every right to cancel just like South Africa did. If cricket Australia can't be reasonable and show some gratitude to them, they should look forward to playing the West Indies and Zimbabwe going forward. Let's see how crowds and revenue go with those jokers coming. It's an honour to have the indian team here when they could be at home. They're already rockstars, they don't need this. Australia needs them
Geronimo
Guest
They've already proven it though. They won the last tour here, if the last test didn't rain it would have been 3 1 They dominated Adelaide and Melbourne bar the infamous 36. What games have you been watching? Are you having trouble understanding things?
Bikash
Roar Rookie
what exactly you mean mate?
Big Daddy
Guest
A lot of hate going on out there. At the end of the day Qld government will probably decide if this event proceeds.
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
Play in Brisbane.
What do you mean?
Micko
Roar Rookie
Were absolutely thumping us in Sydney too. So the rain actually saved us from a 3-1 loss!
Bikash
Guest
This shows the character of the team and depth in bench strength. Impact of losing a player like Kohli is just massive and in addition to it, injuries to your front line quicks..it could be devastating to team's morale...its exactly like Aus playing without Smith, Starc & Hazelwood...but how India responded in Melbourne...
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
Why don't India put their money where their mouth is then?
Bikash
Guest
Thats really funny if you think that way....gone are the days when India was not very comfortable on fast pitches...now they are more then capable of giving Aus a good dose of their own medicine on fast, bouncy pitches....and Aus knows it well. Every team around the world think multiple times before preparing green pitch for india these days.... Aus should feel lucky that Shami n Ishant are injured...else imagine what havoc they would have caused along with Bumrah...this is 'fear'. :stoked:
Yeah you are right Perth was the only game that India lost in that series.....Won in Adelaide and Melboure and drew in Sydney
brisbane now in lockdown again…..Lets see how that goes… Agree about playing somewhere that has more relaxed rules …NZ lost the hosting of the Tri nations rugby tournament because NSW offered far easier quarintine conditions and the NZ govt refused to modify their rules for the other teams so I dont see this as any different to that as each state is acting on their own like they are totally seperate countries to the other states…..
Big Daddy
Guest
Exactly. It's most likely out of CA and CH 7 hands now. Look at SOO Qld premier was very bullish. Looks like state governments are cracking down.
JGK
Roar Guru
Might all be moot now with Brisbane going into a 3 day lockdown because of a hotel quarantine breach.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Perth n Adelaide are per capita the best sports attendees.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
An hour of driving and a week of frustration. SEQlders have the worst freeways in Australia. You can be 0kph in the fast lane of a 110kph zone for no £◇&%!□♧ reason!
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Such a good show.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
But both are very knowledgeable about the game. They may know more than us. They are 2 of the 4 great captains Australia has had since WW2. They're not without standing.
Micko
Roar Rookie
No, they were beaten. They did win in Perth about maybe 14-15 years ago though