The 2021-22 Ashes series which is to start at the end of this year in Australia might get boycotted by the English side as they are not happy with the Quarantine rules in Australia. Reportedly, there have been some talks between the team and the ECB officials but no satisfactory conclusion has come out, as far as the team is concerned.
The team had urged to Cricket board for either the complete or partial postponement of the series to which they got a negative reply from the Board’s side. According to ESPN Cricinfo, the England & Wales Cricket board is adamant and is not thinking about the postponement of the series. This has annoyed the players. Hence, they, including the coaching and support staff, are talking a collective decision to boycott the series.
Why are the English players Boycotting the Ashes series?
The English players have some issues with the Quarantine rules. The players themselves are fine with the 14-day Quarantine period but are reluctant to put their families in it. Also, the top English players will be away from home for rest of the year. The IPL, T20 World Cup and Ashes are scheduled in line. Hence, they cannot think of not taking their families with them to Australia. They are justifiably thoughtful and worried about not seeing their families for long.
The nature of Quarantine proposed has also irked the players. Though it’s reported that a resort hotel will be provided to the English players, they’ll have to stay in mostly. Most likely they’ll be allowed 2 or 3 hours out of their rooms a day, which as well would be for training.
All these hard Quarantine and Bio-bubble rules have led to Boycott possibility.
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It is worth mentioning that all this has given rise to another speculation. It is being reported that England might field an under-strength squad for the Ashes series. In case the top England players boycott the series, the ECB might send a less-experienced side to Australia.
The first test of Ashes 2021-22 is scheduled to begin from December 8 at Brisbane’s Gabba.
