Representational photo
By SAT News Desk
MELBOURNE, 14 August 2020: Cricket fans are in for a feast with the Australian men’s Qantas Tour of England being confirmed with Aaron Finch’s squad set to travel to the United Kingdom later this month.
Cricket Australia (CA) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have agreed to detailed biosecurity and travel plans for what will be the first international tour undertaken by an Australian national sporting team since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
The CA board approved the plans at a meeting last week and the Australian Government on Wednesday granted exemptions for outbound travel for the touring Australian squad, says a Cricket Australia media release.
Nick Hockley, CA’s Interim Chief Executive, said: “We are very excited to be heading to England and to get back into the international fray. We congratulate the ECB on leading the resumption of the game in a way that places the health and safety of players and staff at its core.
“We would also like to thank the Australian Government, as well as all those who have worked tirelessly to put together a plan that allows for the tour to progress in a bio-secure way.”
The Australian men’s team will depart from Perth on Sunday, August 23, and travel to Derby. They will play four practice matches – three T20s and one 50-over game – before playing England in three Twenty20 Internationals and three One-Day Internationals at The Ageas Bowl in Southampton and Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester. Both venues have hotels on-site.
Cricket Australia has also worked closely with the Federal Government as well as health authorities in planning the tour.
Justin Langer, the Australian men’s Head Coach, said: “It’s vital for cricket that we do everything we can to keep the game going in these tough times.
“I am delighted with how the players have returned to their states from the break back in March. The whole squad has come back fitter and stronger, which is a great testament to each of them.
The three One-Day Internationals will form part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League.
The National Selection Panel (NSP) has chosen the following Australian T20 and ODI squad for the Qantas Tour of England:
Aaron Finch (c) (Victoria)
Sean Abbott (New South Wales)
Ashton Agar (Western Australia)
Alex Carey (South Australia)
Pat Cummins (vc) (New South Wales)
Josh Hazlewood (New South Wales)
Marnus Labuschagne (Queensland)
Nathan Lyon (New South Wales)
Mitchell Marsh (Western Australia)
Glenn Maxwell (Victoria)
Riley Meredith (Tasmania)
Josh Philippe (Western Australia)
Daniel Sams (New South Wales)
Kane Richardson (South Australia)
Steven Smith (New South Wales)
Mitchell Starc (New South Wales)
Marcus Stoinis (Western Australia)
Andrew Tye (Western Australia)
Matthew Wade (Tasmania)
David Warner (New South Wales)
Adam Zampa (New South Wales)
“It’s a squad with great depth and a sprinkle of some exceptional young players,” Trevor Hohns, National Selector, said.
Australian Men’s Qantas Tour of England matches:
Friday, Sept 4: 1st T20 International, The Ageas Bowl, Southampton
Sunday, Sept 6: 2nd T20 International, The Ageas Bowl, Southampton
Tuesday, Sept 8: 3rd T20 International, The Ageas Bowl, Southampton
Friday, Sept 11: 1st ODI, Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
Sunday, Sept 13: 2nd ODI, Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
Wednesday, Sept 16: 3rd ODI, Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
