Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley talks down threat of India railroading Test series

Fed up Indian players and staff frustrated about quarantine rules for the Sydney Test will be watched closely by security as tensions rise.

Independent security will help man the doors of the players’ hotel in Sydney, tasked with stamping out any risk allegedly fed-up Indian stars might try to go rogue.

Having security stand guard is nothing new and has happened all summer, but tensions rose yesterday following a report that Indian players are blowing up about being made to feel like “animals in the zoo”.

In other cities, security was more about keeping outsiders out, but in Sydney where players are now banned from leaving the hotel, the job has become more about locking the superstars in who are keeping the $300 million series alive.

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Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley (right) with NSW sport minister John Sidoti in 2019. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

“We think it’s contradictory if you are going to allow fans to come to the ground (SCG) and enjoy that freedom, and then ask us as performers to go back to the hotel and quarantine,” said an unnamed Indian source quoted by Cricbuzz.

“That is especially after we’ve been tested negative for the virus. We don’t want to be treated like we are animals in the zoo.”

Cricket Australia chief Nick Hockley is confident rumblings over Indian stars refusing to quarantine in Brisbane will not railroad the series and rob the Gabba of their Test.

Hockley confirmed he has spoken to the BCCI top brass in Mumbai since the reports of discontent first surfaced and is adamant a key clarification that players will not be confined to their hotel rooms in Brisbane has put any potential threat of a revolt to bed.

The BCCI have not lodged any formal complaints to Australia of any kind and signed off on the protocols for the Sydney and Brisbane Tests last Tuesday night.

But an apparent bubble breach by the Indians at the Chadstone Shopping Centre in Melbourne has highlighted the dangerous reality that Cricket Australia cannot punish their guests for breaking protocols.

It’s understood the five Indian stars including Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant, who ate inside at the Secret Kitchen restaurant, were separated from the rest of the Indian and Australian teams on Monday’s charter flight to Sydney.

They boarded first and sat at the back of the plane before the rest of the touring parties took their seats, however COVID-19 tests taken by all players have come back negative.

Hockley is confident the strength of Indian and Australian team security will be enough to stop the unlikely prospect there could be a risk of escapees in Sydney.

India's Rohit Sharma leaves the team's hotel in Melbourne en route to Sydney. Picture: William West/AFP

“We’ve got our security officers with the team as we would normally and throughout the tour and again I’ll reiterate the health and safety of the playing group and staff and everyone involved is our No.1 priority,” said Hockley.

“The players have been well briefed, they’re not going to have much time between training, playing, between the hotels.

“I know in speaking to the coach (Justin Langer), the Australian team are certainly extremely focused on the first ball of the next Test and I know that’ll be the same for the Indian team as well.”

The importance of the bio-bubble was reinforced yesterday when it was revealed the same Chadstone Shopping Centre the players had dined at had forced the closure of a Boost Juice kiosk for deep cleaning after an employee contracted coronavirus.

While the five Indians who dined at Secret Kitchen are at no risk of infection from the Boost employee, the short walk between the merchants at the same shopping centre served as a timely and sobering reminder of how quickly the series could be impacted by a bio breach.

Hockley is not losing sleep over reports of discontent within the Indian ranks, and has taken confidence from BCCI bosses who have only been supportive of the schedule and bubble requirements.

David Warner arrives with his family at Sydney’s Intercontinental Hotel ahead of the Third Test. Picture: Tim Pascoe

“We have clarified in the past 24 hours what the precise requirements are in Brisbane,” said Hockley.

“What I would say is that within our exclusive hotel environment, there have been some reports that players will be confined to their rooms. That’s not the case.

“Players will be able to play and train at the ground and when they’re in the hotel, they’ll be able to mix within their groups.

“Typically for a Test match, players arrive at the ground between 8-9am in the morning and they’re there until 6 or 7pm at night.

“Then it’s back to the hotel to rest, recuperate and they will be allowed to mix within their groups. Everyone is fully, fully across that and supportive.”

Asked if it felt like that important clarification over quarantine provisions was acceptable to India, Hockley indicated his confidence that was the case.

“I would say so, yes,” he said.

“We’ve had nothing formal from the BCCI to suggest anything other than they are supportive and so I can’t really comment on speculation.”