The series, which was supposed to start on September 19, has now been pushed to September 21. The entire all-format series comprising three ODIs, one-off Test and three T20Is will now be played entirely in Queensland at two venues – Carrara and Mackay because of the restrictions imposed due to Covid-19.
The multi-format series was scheduled to kickstart with the first ODI at North Sydney Oval and the next two at Junction Oval. All three One-Day internationals will now take place at Mackay.
While no official announcement has been made yet, ESPNcricinfo has reported that the one-off day-night Test – originally scheduled at Perth – will be moved to the Metricon Stadium in Carrara in the Gold Coast.
However, the dates of this pink ball Test will remain the same – from September 30 to October 3. The series was slated to conclude with the three-match T20I series at North Sydney Oval but will now take place at Carrara.
The Australian government has announced lockdowns due to the Covid-19 situation, making it impossible for Cricket Australia to host the matches at originally planned venues.
The changes are pending approvals from the Queensland state government. The 22-member Indian contingent has left for Australia and will undergo a 14-day quarantine upon landing.
After the quarantine, India W will play a practice match at Brisbane on September 18. It is learnt that the BCCI had requested CA to schedule a practice game ahead of the series.
The Australian players who are not in Queensland are likely to arrive in the next week. Those coming in from Sydney and Melbourne will be required to go through quarantine.
“The reality is that the players in New South Wales are probably very much aware that to leave the state we will have to participate in some form of quarantine,”
Australia vice-captain Rachael Haynes had stated earlier this month.
