Australia cricket 2021: Family unrest within Aussie team over quarantine uncertainty

Cricket Australia is suffering from a failure to communicate, and the summer of Test cricket is under threat as a result.

Pat Cummins with partner Becky Boston, Australian cricket players leaving the Marriott hotel after 2 weeks of quarantine.picture John Grainger,

There is growing unrest among the Australian cricket team’s partners and families, with some saying they have received “no communication” from Cricket Australia around the upcoming Ashes series.

“It’s almost as if we have been forgotten,” said one partner.

Cricket Australia is understood to be considering flying up extra players into a Gold Coast “bubble” to help the team train, but is yet to communicate directly with players’ wives and girlfriends about being part of this potential Queensland hub.

While English players have spoken about boycotting the Ashes if their partners and families are not allowed entry into Australia, several sources have said Cricket Australia has not sent an email or phoned Australian partners and families about their potential presence on tour and what limitations there may be.

Pat Cummins reunites with partner Becky Boston after a stint in quarantine. Picture: John Grainger

Another partner said; “They, the English cricket team, are very pro having their families and partners around because they know how much it means to them. It brings out the best in them as players. Whereas in Australia, it‘s almost like we’re deemed a distraction.”

The Australian contacted Cricket Australia on Friday about plans regarding accommodating players‘ partners and families and if there would be bubbles for the upcoming Ashes series.

A spokesman said: “CA and the ECB are working constructively towards the Ashes this summer including arrangements that can be put in place for players and families from both sides. This includes working proactively with governments on providing the best possible conditions for both the English and Australian players,

“CA is also buoyed by the significant rise in vaccination rates across the country with all Australian and English players and support staff also being fully vaccinated. We have every confidence all matches will proceed on the scheduled dates and locations.”

Australian coach Justin Langer has come under criticism for his ‘old school’ attitude. Picture: Lachie Millard

Australian coach Justin Langer has zoned out periods on tours since late 2018 which have been deemed “no partner periods”. The Australian understands Langer’s “old school” attitude has been a source of angst for many players, who like having their families around.

“If you wear the Baggy Green, you are expected to just endure this; that your partners are a ‘distraction’, you get paid good money, you need to adapt without them around,” one partner said.

Earlier this week England’s captain Joe Root spoke amid widespread speculation that several England players may pull out of the tour if Australia’s quarantine and biosecurity conditions are too restrictive for the players and families.

Root himself was reluctant to fully commit to the trip to Australia amid concerns about what will be required of the players and families. His vice-captain Jos Buttler, whose partner has recently given birth to a second daughter, has said not being able to be with family would rule him out of the Ashes series.

Australian cricket players have spent weeks away from family due to quarantine restrictions. Picture: John Grainger

Last week Cricket Australia presented to the England Cricket Board regarding the touring conditions.

The Australian understands England are due to fly over on a charter flight with the Australian team from Dubai after the World Cup. England Lions players are also expected to take that flight, so the English players have some players to train against.

Australian sport has been thrown into disarray in recent times but many major codes have worked towards including families as players are forced to relocate due to Covid issues. Both the NRL and the AFL have covered the costs of flying and accommodating families in major hubs at various times during their Covid-marred seasons.

Sporting hubs and quarantine have become a sensitive political issue in Australia.

In August Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk came under fire after she allowed a charter flight carrying NRL officials and the families of players into the state. That move came despite the Queensland government announcing earlier a two-week pause to interstate hotspot arrivals.