Steve Smith, Tim Paine
Steve Smith, Tim Paine. Image-Twitter

Former England batsman Robert Key has claimed that Cricket Australia (CA) has told the Test captain Tim Paine to pressurize England national cricket team to tour Australia for the Ashes.

Tim Paine
Tim Paine (Image Credit: Twitter)

Recently, Tim Paine said that no one is forcing England to come to Ashes, and it’s their wish whether they want to play or not. However, he stated that Ashes will go ahead as per schedule whether England captain Joe Root will join the tour or not. Also, he said that visitors should stop complaining about quarantine rules and play the match.

Tim Paine, Pat Cummins, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne
Tim Paine, Pat Cummins, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne. Image: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Speaking to Sky Sports, Robert Key said that the Australian captain has been told by Cricket Australia to persuade England so that the Ashes series goes ahead without any interruptions. He stated:

Tim Paine has clearly been told ‘Look, you make sure. Cricket Australia have said to him ‘You put some pressure on this England team now, this Ashes we have to make sure goes ahead. We are doing everything in our power to make sure that England come over. But England hold all the cards here as far as I’m concerned. Cricket Australia has to make sure that it’s a palatable thing for the England players to want to do.”

Problem In Australia At The Moment Is That Every State Is Almost Like Its Own Individual Country – Robert Key

Robert Key, Rob Key
(Photo: Twitter)

The former England cricketer believes that the ECB is taking some time to make the final decision because they want to make things easy for the players. Key stated:

I think the ECB are right at the moment not to give in and just say ‘We’re definitely going to go at the moment. This decision will come within the next week because they need to try and make sure they make it as easy as they possibly can for the England players.”

” The problem in Australia at the moment is that every state is almost like its own individual country with its own individual rules and laws for lockdown.”

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Sonanchal Gautam is the Assistant Content Manager at Cricketaddictor. He is a professional Wrestling and Hip-hop enthusiast.