The Australian cricket summer will reportedly be kicked off in Sydney, with the NSW government ready to host the travelling Indian side for a white-ball series to kick off the summer.
All signs looked headed to Queensland to host the initial series to commence the summer, but after reportedly pulling out over the weekend, the NSW government swooped on the opportunity to host the Indians.
Chief cricket writer from The Australian Peter Lalor, joined Gerard on SEN’s Whateley this morning to discuss the current situation that Cricket Australia finds themselves in.
“They have swooped. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a group move so fast,” Lalor said of the NSW government’s reaction to securing the start of the summer.
“Their (Cricket Australia’s) blushes have been spared by New South Wales, particularly Sydney.
“They put a hotel plan to Cricket Australia, they’ve got the nets lined up.
“There’s a symbiotic relationship between the grounds and the state government.
“I’d be stunned if it didn’t happen in New South Wales.”
Lalor believes Cricket Australia bosses would be “extremely relieved” that the NSW government stepped in, as they were “assured” the summer would commence in Brisbane only last week.
Sydney appears to be willing to allow supervised training with hotel quarantine, which is a preferred option for the Indian’s and returning Australian’s from the current IPL season.
If agreed with the New South Wales government, Sydney and Canberra are set to host a six-game series, including three ODI’s and three T20’s.
The Indian team will begin their journey to Australia on next Tuesday as they embark on their second Australian summer in three years.