Ashes 2021-22: Perth Test match in doubt due to strict COVID-19 protocols

The high-octane Ashes series Down Under is going to begin on December 8. But even before a ball is being bowled, the five-match Test series has hogged the majority of the limelight due to the Australian government's strict COVID-19 norms.  With some rising cases in big cities like Perth, Melbourne, and Sydney, the government had to place stricter norms for the athletes visiting Australia.

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Also, Australia have failed to get the vaccination drive going, and many people are not fully vaccinated. This has led to the government putting some mandatory norms for travelers. Initially, England players were reluctant to play Ashes due to the government not allowing the families of the players to travel for a three-month-long tour.

Although Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison promised a solution, a new problem seems to have emerged. Perth, which is scheduled to host the third Test on January 14, might have to tweak its plans. According to Richard Colbeck, Australia sports minister, the capital of Western Australia might not see players quarantining themselves for 14 days after completing the fourth Test in Sydney.

“We’ve had to do a lot of work to organize quarantine arrangements for cricketers coming into Australia. There are serious questions about whether there’ll be a test match in Perth this summer. If there’s no chance of coming here without prolonged quarantine, it just won’t occur,” said Australia’s sports minister Richard Colbeck while taking to Perth radio station 6PR.

The Brisbane venue will play host the first Test match on December 8. The teams then travel to Adelaide to play the second Test on December 16. But with still not an official confirmation coming from the Australian government about allowing English players to travel, a few of the players might to go Down Under.