‘A disgrace to this country’: Aussie cricket stars slam WA Premier Mark McGowan

Cricketer Josh Inglis has ripped into Mark McGowan after the WA Premier announced the state’s border would not re-open as planned.

Perth Scorchers wicketkeeper Josh Inglis and former Australian opener Joe Burns have ripped into Mark McGowan after the West Australian Premier announced the state’s border would not re-open on February 5 as planned.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday evening, Mr McGowan claimed the Omicron variant meant it was not safe or responsible to re-open the borders.

“It would be reckless and irresponsible to open up now. I can’t do it,” he said.

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However, in explaining his decision, Mr McGowan pointed to the large number of people in Western Australia who were not yet eligible for their boosters, saying getting a third dose was important to tackle Omicron.

“So far, the science shows that people with only two doses of a Covid vaccine have only a four per cent protection against being infected by the Omicron variant,” he said. “With a third dose it can provide a 64 per cent protection against infection.

“The aim is to get it (the third dose vaccination rate) up above at least 80 per cent, perhaps 90 per cent.”

Premier Mark McGowan. Picture Jackson Flindell The West Australian

Inglis, who is in Melbourne ahead of the BBL finals match against the Sydney Sixers on Saturday evening, lashed out at the Premier’s decision in a deleted social media post.

Although the 26-year-old did not specifically name McGowan, it’s fair to assume the scathing post was directed at the WA leader.

“You have had two years to sort this out,” Inglis wrote. “Two years of bragging about how good you are.

“Two years to sort out your disaster of a hospital system with your record surplus.

“Two years of separating families and destroying people’s mental states in the

name of health.

“Two years, we all did what you asked of us so we could get out of this.

“And you spit in our faces and take away any hope West Aussies had of this ending.

“You are a disgrace to this state and a disgrace to this country.

“Absolute muppet.”

The post has since been removed.

Fair to say Perth Scorchers star and WA cricketer Josh Inglis isn’t too happy about Mark McGowan’s latest announcement. #BBL11pic.twitter.com/m5toRbCBzT

— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) January 21, 2022

Later on Friday evening, Burns tweeted: “Mark McGowan you are a clown. I never thought borders were for anyones to shut as we are one world. But I’ve seen first hand how much Feb 5 meant to the people locked out of WA from loved ones. This must be heartbreaking. Find a solution like the rest of Australia.”

Due to border restrictions, the Scorchers have not played a match in their home state since December 8.

Despite topping the BBL ladder this summer, the Perth-based franchise has been forced to elect Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium as its “home” venue for the finals series.

The fifth Ashes Test between Australia and England was also moved from Perth Stadium to Hobart’s Blundstone Arena due to border restrictions and Covid-19 complications.

Inglis was a member of Australia’s triumphant T20 World Cup squad last year, although he is yet to make his international debut.

The gloveman has played 69 T20 matches, scoring 1690 runs at 30.17 with a high score of 118 not out.

Josh Inglis of the Scorchers. Photo by Mike Owen/Getty Images

Inglis and Burns were not the only high-profile athletes to take aim at Mr McGowan — Melbourne City footballer Rostyn Griffiths tweeted on Thursday: “Mark Mgowan you’re an absolute f***in clown. You’ve got no idea what it’s like in the ‘real world’ you’ve got no plan. What happens when the next variant comes along? You call yourself the envy of the world you’re a f***** laughing stock! Absolute belter.”

Sports broadcaster Neroli Meadows posted on Twitter: “Devastated. Utterly devastated. I’m not even saying it’s the wrong call – but a piece of my heart just broke. I miss my family.

“Crying on my couch. Thinking of everyone impacted by this. Thinking of everyone as exhausted & saddened as I feel right now, especially those in more challenging situations.”

Meanwhile, a high-profile NSW MP also slammed McGowan’s shock hard border backflip, accusing him of not being ready to cope with the Covid crisis.

Speaking to 2GB’s Ben Fordham on Friday, NSW Deputy Liberal Leader Stuart Ayres speculated he had changed his mind about reopening on February 5 as the state’s healthcare system wasn’t adequately prepared for rising cases.

“It would be nice to be one country again … but the unfortunate thing here for West Australians is Mark McGowan has not got his health system ready to deal with the pandemic,” Mr Ayres said on-air.

“He has continually kept the border shut because he has underinvested in the health system … we spent the past two years making sure our hospital system is as resourced as possible.

“We have prepared it to be able to deal with the pandemic, quite clearly Mark McGowan hasn’t and the people of Western Australia are paying the price.”

The Scorchers will face reigning champions the Sixers in “The Qualifier” at Marvel Stadium on Saturday, with the first ball scheduled for 7.15pm AEDT.

— with Alexis Carey and Matt Murphy

Originally published as ‘A disgrace to this country’: Aussie cricket stars slam WA Premier Mark McGowan