Players’ fears risk Scott Morrison and Boris Johnson’s pact on Ashes

The success of the cricket diplomacy between Boris Johnson and Scott Morrison to ensure the 2021 Ashes tour goes ahead is under threat from players’ fears of strict state lockdowns and border closures.

Scott Morrison and Boris Johnson in Washington last week. Picture: Adam Taylor / PMO

The success of the cricket diplomacy between Boris Johnson and Scott Morrison to ensure the 2021 Ashes tour goes ahead as scheduled is under threat from players’ fears of strict state lockdowns and border closures.

While the prime ministers are confident the Ashes tour between November and January will go ahead, both continue to communicate with cricket authorities about English players’ concerns on quarantine periods for them, their families and the “Barmy Army” of fans that are creating difficulties.

Part of the top-level talks include possible schedule changes with the original opening Brisbane Test at the Gabba starting on December 8 and the final test in Perth at Optus Stadium, starting on January 14, both under threat.

While matches in Sydney in January, Melbourne for the Boxing Day Test and a day-night Test in Adelaide before Christmas seem the most likely to go ahead, there is concern about the Brisbane and Perth tests.

As the bilateral discussions continue, there is the possibility of multiple matches in Sydney, a Test at Canberra’s Manuka Oval or even in Launceston if Tasmania opens if Queensland and WA are forced out.

The British Prime Minister personally asked at a dinner at the Australian embassy for Mr Morrison to intervene and the two leaders have been communicating since.

In the highest-level cricket intervention since the days of South African apartheid and John Howard’s cancellation of a cricket tour to Zimbabwe, the Prime Minister is in contact with English and Australian cricket management and Mr Johnson is trying to settle differences between the players, the cricket authorities and Covid-19 state restrictions.

The English players are ­objecting to having to spend two weeks in quarantine in Australia on arrival, with the same requirement for their families and fans.

Ian Watmore, chair of the Eng­land and Wales Cricket Board, said in London there were no immed­iate deadlines to be met regarding conditions and they were ­“working hard to avoid any withdrawals”.

“Cricket Australia know what we need to make the tour successful, and they’re working with their governments to deliver it,” Mr Watmore said.

English Test captain Joe Root said they players were desperate to come for the Ashes but it depended on the conditions and quarantines imposed on them.

In Washington, Mr Morrison said Mr Johnson had asked for his help and they would work together to get the Ashes tour to Australia but there would be “no special deals” for the English cricketers.