Cricket Australia Chief Nick Hockley
Cricket Australia Chief Nick Hockley (Image Credit: Twitter)

Nick Hockley, Cricket Australia’s interim CEO, thanked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for safely transporting the Australian players back to the country. The Australian contingent involved in the IPL 2021 reached Sydney on Monday from the Maldives using a charter flight paid by the BCCI.

Barring Michael Hussey, who had tested positive for covid-19 and was kept in isolation in India, 38 Australians comprising players, coaches, commentators, and other media personnel, were shifted to the Maldives following the suspension of the IPL 2021 on May 4; because of the closure of the border by the Australian government for incoming flights from India, they couldn’t go back home till May 15.

Hockley said that the players are very relieved to return safely, and the board is grateful to the BCCI for ensuring players reach their homes safely and quickly from the island.

Glenn Maxwell, Royal Challengers Bangalore
Glenn Maxwell (Image Credit: Twitter)

Michael Hussey, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batting coach, is also sent back after returning a negative Covid-19 test on Thursday night; Hussey had to take a commercial flight via Doha to return back home. They all will now have to undergo 14 days of quarantine in a hotel in Sydney as part of strict border protocols established by their government to contain the spread of the virus.

“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,” Sydney Morning Herald quoted Hockley as saying.

Australia to tour West Indies for white-ball matches; 23-man preliminary squad announced

Australia’s last series was in January against India; since they cancelled their tour to South Africa amidst covid concerns, it’s been a fairly long time they have featured at the international level.

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They will next travel to the West Indies for 5 T20Is and 3 ODIs from July 9 to July 24, for which the selectors have announced a 23-man preliminary squad which will later be trimmed down later for the final touring squad.

Tanveer Sangha
Tanveer Sangha has been taken in the T20 mix. (Image Credits: Twitter)

Steve Smith, David Warner, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins, all return to the T20 side after being rested from the New Zealand tour. They have added Tanveer Sangha and Jason Behrendorff to the set-up as well. Aaron Finch’s side has lost its last three T20I series – to New Zealand, India, and England

“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,” Hockley commented.

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