ECB to make Australia tour decision this week

On Oct 4, 2021

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) will meet this week to decide whether the Men’s Ashes tour of Australia this winter will go ahead.

England players were presented with the proposed conditions for the tour on Sunday evening.

Some have concerns over whether families can travel, quarantine arrangements and any potential ‘bubble’ they may have to live in.

The first Test begins on December 8 and the series is due to end on January 18.

An ECB statement read: “The board will decide whether the conditions are sufficient for the tour to go ahead and enable the selection of a squad befitting a series of this significance.” Australia has some of the strictest COVID-19 protocols in the world, a situation complicated by the fact its different states have their own regulations.

The five Ashes Tests are due to be played in five states. The ECB added: “Over the weekend we have been talking to England Men’s players and management to provide them with the latest information about the proposed arrangements for this winter’s scheduled Ashes tour.” (BBC)