Advertisment

'CA has to ensure that families of England players are allowed to accompany them during Ashes' - Marnus Labuschagne

Even though the Ashes is still a fair way away, speculations regarding the series being called off are on rife.

author-image
Sam Abraham
New Update
Marnus Labuschagne

Marnus Labuschagne ( Image Credit: Twitter)

Even though the Ashes is still a fair way away, speculations regarding the series being called off are on rife. With current COVID-19 protocols in Australia, families of England players won’t be allowed to accompany them, which is why many England players are mulling over pulling out of the series.

Advertisment

A number of England players will take part in the IPL, followed by T20 World Cup and then the Ashes. It’s going to be long 4-5 months in bio-bubble thus if the situation is not eased in Australia, it’s unlikely that the series will go ahead. Cricket Australia (CA) will have to bear huge financial losses if the series gets postponed thus the board is keen is go the distance to make the series possible. They have even tried assuring the players that there won’t be any stern COVID-19 restrictions for the visitors and their families will also be allowed to travel to Australia.

Australia middle-order batter Marnus Labuschagne understands the concerns of the England players and said that CA has to find a way to ensure that families of the England players are allowed to accompany them as it’s very important for the players to be in good space.

"The welfare of players and making sure families can come out here is important," Labuschagne told reporters in Brisbane. You don't need to be a cricketer to recognize the importance of making sure the mental health of all players is in a good space. Especially with a Twenty20 World Cup followed by an Ashes, it's a really long four or five months."

Advertisment

Labuschagne is optimistic about the series going ahead and said that CA and the government of Australia will find a way out.

"But I have no doubt, between the government and Cricket Australia, we'll be able to sort it out and get ourselves in a position where we can have a full-strength England against a full-strength Australia."

Ben Stokes has already taken an indefinite break from cricket while Jos Buttler has hinted that he may pull out of the Ashes. There will be no Jofra Archer as well. Labuschangne, however, wants veteran England pacer James Anderson on the Australian shores at any cost. "Everyone out here wants to see Jimmy come to Australia," he said.

Cricket News Australia Marnus Labuschagne England