Brisbane Test in further doubt due to latest 3-day lockdown

The lockdown was announced less than 24 hours after cricket board officials from India and Australia engaged in a discussion on relaxation of hard quarantine measures for the visitor. “CA executives are urgently trying to determine the impact of a three-day lockdown in Brisbane on the fourth Test at the Gabba, which was already under a cloud because of India’s hesitation to fly north and be subjected to tighter bio-security restrictions,” a newspaper reported.

“A hotel quarantine worker’s positive test to the more contagious UK strain of COVID-19 is the latest spanner in the works for CA’s hopes to close out the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series at the Gabba,” it further wrote.

On Thursday, the BCCI wrote to CA seeking relaxation in hard quarantine protocol. The quarantine rules in Brisbane will restrict the players to just their hotel rooms after play. CA has already verbally assured the Indians that “a deal” has been “signed by the Queensland government to allow players and staff out of their rooms.”

However, it is learnt that the BCCI wants a written assurance. In case Brisbane can’t host or Indians refuse to travel, Sydney will be the back-up venue.