MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Australians in the Indian Premier League are "anxious" that the COVID-19 crisis continues in India, but they are not looking for any "free ride.” The players' union said on Wednesday.
Three players of the Australian team have withdrawn
from the IPL but two are stranded in India following the Australian decision to
suspend flights from two Asian countries until May 15.
The IPL includes about 40 Australians as players,
coaches, officials and commentators, but Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said
they will not be allowed to jump in line whenever repatriation flights resume.
The regular IPL season will end on May 23, followed by
the playoffs before the final on May 30.
"As you can imagine, they are all very
upset," Todd Greenberg, chief executive of the Australian Cricketers'
Association, told Sydney Radio 2GB.
"They are probably one of the biggest hotspots
we've seen since the coveted so we're just trying to make sure they're all safe
and secure and that they can keep their promises and ... We can take them home.
As soon as we can. "
In India, 323,144 new COVID-19 incidents were reported
on Tuesday and 2,771 deaths, bringing the total death toll to 197,894, but
despite the health crisis. The IPL are in full swing.
Greenberg confirmed that former Australian fast bowler
Andrew Tye. Who was with the Rajasthan Royals, had left for home over the
weekend but Royal Challengers Bangalore teammates Adam Zampa and Ken Richardson
did not leave India. There were coins.
"They are in a difficult position so we had to
try to get some more information this morning," he said.
Mumbai Indians batsman Chris Lane said this week that
he had asked the governing body Cricket Australia (CA) to arrange a charter
flight to repatriate the players after the end of the IPL.
Greenberg said the players' union was
"discussing" the option with the CA and authorities and would work
with IPL club owners on player travel arrangements.
"Our players are not expecting special
privileges. There is no free ride here," he said.
"What we are trying to do is really work with
Cricket Australia and work with the government, just to get all the right
information so that we can fill them with some confidence that they are
appropriate. Time will tell. "
Zampa said his decision to shorten the IPL season was
about prioritizing mental health over money.
"I feel like anyone goes out halfway through the
tournament. It's definitely a financial sacrifice." "But from my
point of view, I want to put my mental health first."
"Obviously, Quid's situation here is very
serious.
"(There were) some other things like bubble
fatigue and the chance to get home, once all the news broke about flights and
everything."
The CA said late Tuesday that it would continue to
"liaise" with the Australian government and monitor the situation.
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