After 14 days in quarantine following an Indian exit, Australia’s cricketers finally embrace their loved ones

After leaving India in a mad dash to the Maldives as Covid swamped the subcontinent, Australia’s best cricketers are finally back home with their families.

Moises Henriques leaves the Marriott hotel after two weeks of quarantine. Picture: John Grainger

There were hugs and tears as dozens of Australian cricketers, coaches and commentators finally exited hotel quarantine in Sydney on Monday morning after fleeing Covid-ravaged India.

Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell and Dave Warner were among those who finally embraced their loved ones after returning to Australia via the Maldives for two weeks in quarantine.

Most had not seen their families since heading to the Indian Premier League in early April and were flown home via a charter flight after the IPL was postponed.

They were staring at a longer time away when the federal government placed a ban on travellers returning from India before it was lifted on May 15.

New Cricket Australia chief executive, Nick Hockley said he had been in contact with the group, and they were “shaken” by their experience

He said their capacity to go on tour again as soon as next month was to be determined.

“We’ve been texting, and I’ve spoken to a couple of the broader group, not just the players but there’s commentators, match officials and physios,” Hockley said.

“They are clearly quite shaken from the experience, very appreciative to be home back here in Australia.

“I would reiterate that the BCCI have been absolutely fantastic in supporting the playing group, and the entire group in terms of getting home safely and we’re very grateful for that.

“It’s a couple of weeks before the West Indies touring party regroups at the National Cricket Centre and I think that’s a time to re-focus.

“But I know for now they’re looking forward to spending some time over the next couple of weeks with family and friends.”

Glenn Maxwell farewells teammate Marcus Stoinis after two weeks of quarantine. Picture: John Grainger

Steve Smith ready to leave hotel quarantine in Sydney. Picture: John Grainger

Pat Cummins with pregnant partner Becky Boston as he leaves quarantine. Picture: John Grainger

Most have been included in a 23-man squad to tour the West Indies and now Bangladesh in July and August.

Five more T20s in Bangladesh were added to Australia’s upcoming touring plans as part of a jam-packed schedule that will now include 13 games in under a month.

The Aussies will play the five games in Bangladesh immediately after Australia‘s white-ball tour of the Caribbean and could complete them in under 10 days.

It gives captain Aaron Finch’s team 10 international T20 matches in less than a month, plus three ODIs against the West Indies to finetune white-ball skills for the World Cup.

Cricket Australia named a 23-man extended squad for the Windies tour, with a reduced squad likely to depart late in June for the first T20 in Saint Lucia on July 9.

The entire tour of eight games is scheduled to be played over just 16 days, with the five extra games in Bangladesh giving the Aussies 13 games in less than a month, with travel times included.

Some Australian players could then head straight to the rescheduled Indian Premier League, which has been rescheduled for September and October.