Cricket Australia confirmed in an official statement that all the Australian cricketers, coaches, match officials and commentators involved in the 14th edition of Vivo IPL 2021 have safely left for the Maldives in a chartered flight. The contingent will stay in the Maldives till the Australian government allows them to enter the country.
Most of the players from England have already reached the UK. Whereas the Kiwis have been divided into two groups, one group will head home and the other will travel straight to England to participate in the upcoming bilateral series. What is still unclear is the protocol around people from franchises that have been tested positive for Covid-19 to fly out when.
All the affected franchises based in Ahmedabad and Delhi were asked to go into weeklong isolation following the positive tests. Once the tournament was officially postponed, however, the franchises started thinking about sending the unaffected players home while moving the affected individuals in isolation.
It is understood that franchises got the IPL’s nod for allowing players to leave the bubble once their tests had come out negative.
However, Chennai Super Kings’ coach Mike Hussey will remain in India as he was tested positive for COVID-19. “Cricket Australia will work closely with BCCI to ensure Mike’s safe return,” the statement read.
Many countries, along with Australia, sealed their borders to travellers from India because of the devastating second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 14th edition of the IPL was postponed after several cricketers and support staff members in different franchises tested positive for the deadly virus. Reports claim that BCCI is eying the September window to conduct the remaining matches of IPL 2021. However, official confirmation by the Indian cricket board is still awaited.
