In less than three months, the oldest rivalry in cricket, the Ashes will resume. England will be looking to regain the Ashes, playing the series after a big gap of two and a half years. However, due to the prevailing Covid-19 situation and the strict norms around it, the Test series might be in danger. Due to strict Covid protocols enforced by the Australian government, few English players are reluctant to tour and may opt out from the three-month long tour. Former England batter Michael Atherton has weighed in on the situation saying that the series will go ahead as planned despite the vaccination drives and protocol issues in Australia. Atherton feels that there is a lot at stake and both countries will want the series to go ahead as planned.
Atherton optimistic regarding the series
“I think the Ashes will go ahead. I think both countries will want it to go ahead because there is a lot at stake cricketing-wise and commercial aspect for Cricket Australia (CA), who will have big television deals as the Ashes is their biggest event in the summer down there. There will be lots of reasons why they will do everything in their power to get the Ashes on, Atherton told Sky Sports.
“Yesterday there were stories coming up that the domestic matches in Australia were being cancelled because of COVID. They are still way behind on their vaccination rates, which they hope to get up quickly and start to open up this week. We have been able to do so. It is certainly not an ideal backdrop to an Ashes series but everybody would hope that it goes ahead with two strongest teams’ countries playing against each other,” the 53-year-old added.
Australia await England’s arrival for long summer
As usual, Australia will play England for 5 Tests this summer. The first test starting on December 8, 2021 will be played at the Gabba, Brisbane which is considered as a fortress for hosts. The following four Tests will be played in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth respectively. In 2019, Australia were able to retain the Ashes despite Ben Stokes’ Headingley heist. The England squad already looks depleted because of injuries, and experienced players pulling out will not strengthen their situation.
