Indian players resentful about being made to feel like ‘animals in the zoo’

Visiting players resent putting on a show for people who have more freedom than them as the cricket bubble begins to burst.

Australian captain Tim Paine prepares to fly to Sydney with his team on Monday. Picture: AFP

Concerns about being treated like prisoners confined to hotel rooms in Brisbane have abated, but elements of the Indian camp are still annoyed they will be made to return to their hotels after performing for crowds who have more freedom than them in the final two Tests.

Things are growing strained as the cricket summer collides with another flare-up of the pandemic and cricketers weary of life in a biosecure bubble. There were reports on Monday of Indian players feeling resentful about being made to feel like “animals in the zoo”.

Sydney, so bullish about the prospect of a 20,000 crowd a few days ago, has dialled back its boasts and is now talking 12,000.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian, who spoke with such confidence last week, is on holidays and it was left to her deputy John Barilaro to tone things down.

Tickets purchased for the SCG will be refunded, with those who held them given priority when the seats are sold again.

The Indian and Australian players caught a charter plane to Sydney from Melbourne on Monday after they and support staff were tested and passed clear of the virus.

A group of five Indian players is in the naughty corner for attending a restaurant and could not sit with their teammates on the plane.

Will Pucovski was on the flight and had an independent medical examination which is believed to be one of the last steps before he is given clearance to play.

The expectation is he will make his debut at the SCG.

Australian bowlers Nathan Lyon, left, and Pat Cummin leave the team’s hotel in Melbourne on Monday. Picture: AFP

Barilaro explained that predicted bad weather in Sydney — large thunderstorms greeted the players on arrival — meant a reduction in crowds at the third Test.

“There is now consideration that if it is wet weather, what does that look like? Will people be leaving their zones, their seats and congregating under the shelter? They‘re the things we (have) got to deal with,” he said.

“What do we do about mask-wearing and maybe going up to the bar? Transport on the way in.”

Barilaro suggested country people not attend the SCG for fear they return to their homes with the virus.

“I know, for instance, for regional people, as the Minister for Regional NSW the New Year‘s Test is something which is an annual pilgrimage,“ he said.

“We love coming to Sydney for this purpose and a lot of the members are from regions. In normal times I would say that is fantastic but I would be saying to people today to consider what‘s occurring in Sydney with the infections and the restrictions.

“The risk would be that if someone from the regions comes to Sydney that they could take it back to a regional area. My advice to people would be — think about it, reconsider, maybe this year isn’t the year to come to Sydney to watch the Test and that’s what we’ll be doing.”

Concerns India would refuse to go to Brisbane for the fourth Test were eased when it was explained they would not be confined to their rooms as they believed, but they and some of the Australians are not happy with the increased restrictions.

Independent security will help man the doors of the players’ hotel in Sydney, in a bid to prevent a repeat of the Melbourne incident where five players left their accommodation and ate lunch indoors in a Chinese restaurant in the Chadstone Shopping Centre.

Watch Australia v India Test Series Live & Ad-Break Free During Play with the Fox Cricket commentary team. New to Kayo? Get your free trial now & start streaming instantly >

Reports on Monday suggested some of the Indian camp are irritated by the fact that the general public, for whom they will perform, are afforded more freedoms than they.

Cricbuzz journalist Bharat Sandaresan reported a source from the Indian camp, which may not be the official line, but is nonetheless an insight into how some are thinking.

“We think it’s contradictory if you are going to allow fans to come to the ground and enjoy that freedom, and then ask us as performers to go back to the hotel and quarantine. 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,” the source told Cricbuzz.

“It goes back to what we‘ve said from the beginning. We want to follow the same rules as every Australian citizen in the country. So, if crowds weren’t allowed inside the ground, then it makes sense for them to ask us to quarantine inside the hotel.”

The source defended their reaction to the situation in Brisbane.

“We were told by their medical team that we wouldn’t be allowed to leave our respective floors in the hotel. The senior team management immediately said that these conditions weren’t acceptable for us. That’s the last we heard about the matter,” the source said.