Australia would prefer to play India in the first test at the Gabba in Brisbane if the recent COVID-19 outbreak in Adelaide forces a change in venue, fast bowler Josh Hazlewood said on Wednesday.
The series opener is scheduled to start at the Adelaide Oval on Dec. 17 but a new cluster of coronavirus cases in the state has cast doubts on whether the match will ahead as neighbouring states closed their borders with South Australia.
Hazlewood said if they were to play at the Gabba, the fast bowlers would rather get the game out of the way before it became hotter and favoured the batsmen.
“It probably would be (the Gabba) to be fair,” Hazlewood told reporters.
“I think the longer we wait the hotter it gets up there so the quicks would all be happy to get that game done in early December. We obviously have a really good record (in Brisbane) and it’s a great place to start.”
Australia have not lost a test match at the Gabba since 1988.
The outbreak in Adelaide forced players such as captain Tim Paine into self-isolation while others preparing for the domestic Big Bash League were moved to a training camp on the New South Wales coast.
Cricket Australia, who had hoped to fill the Adelaide Oval with 27,000 fans – half its capacity – said on Tuesday that they “remained committed” to playing the day-night test match at the venue and were monitoring the situation.
Australia will first face India in three one-day internationals and three Twenty20 matches starting Nov. 27 in Sydney.
Hazelwood also spoke about the fact that strict quarantine measures may force players to pull out of overseas trips.
Hazlewood’s comments came after Australian pace bowler Kane Richardson on Wednesday pulled out of the limited-overs series against India forcing Cricket Australia (CA) to replace him with Andrew Tye.
“These two weeks are the hardest coming back from an overseas tour. That will weigh on a few guys’ decisions if we are touring overseas and this is still what has to happen when you have to return,” Hazlewood was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald.
“I think bubble life is a lot easier than quarantine. There is a few things you can get out to do and playing cricket as well — that is a huge bonus. It is different for everyone. If you had to keep doing these two-week stints every time we come back that makes it a difficult choice for each individual.”
Richardson had to withdraw from the squad to be with his wife and their newborn son, Cricket Australia said in a statement.
“It was a difficult decision for Kane to make but one which has the complete support of the selectors and the entire playing squad,” CA national selector Trevor Hohns said on Wednesday.
“Kane wanted to remain in Adelaide with Nyki and their newborn son. We will always support our players and their families; even more so given the challenging environment we are in. We will miss what he brings to the team but completely understand and support his decision,” he added