Perth Ashes questions WA while holding on to the hard line in the quarantine

The hope of organizing Cricket Australia’s Fifth Ashes Test in Perth is in jeopardy, with the Western Australian (WA) state government repeating “very strict rules” regarding quarantine and restrictions on the families of players.

Perth Stadium has scheduled the final match of the Australia-England series from 14 January, but WA authorities have imposed a quarantine on players and staff from New South Wales (NSW) after entering the state where Sydney are holding their fourth test.

“The thing about Ashes and Cricket Australia is that we have set very strict rules,” WA Prime Minister Mark McGowan told reporters on Tuesday.

“We’ve been told they have to have a 14-day quarantine, and to apply that, it has to apply to all employees, all cricket staff.

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“They can’t bring their wives and girlfriends with them, (if they are) the same rules we set for the AFL.

“It’s up to them whether they want to follow those rules.”

WA authorities asked the players for a quarantine before Perth decided to hold the Australian Football League (AFL) title in September.

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WA’s tough stance casts doubt on the Perth test given the short break following the Sydney test on January 6-9.

The England players, who are preparing for the series opener in South Queensland on December 8 in Brisbane, have successfully negotiated a reunion for their families in Australia, where borders remain closed to non-residents.

England wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler said players could probably have reservations for staying in Australia if families did not allow them to cross the state borders with them.

“Getting families here was a big part of the negotiations, I think, and being here has been a great help and we want to walk with us,” he said.

“If they allow us to move between states, I don’t see why families who are part of our bubble can’t move with us.”

Other Australian states have eased quarantine and border controls for people vaccinated, but WA without COVID-19 is expected to be closed until early 2022, pending vaccination rates.

Christina Matthews, head of the WA Cricket Association, said the weekend in Perth was just a 50-50 chance.

Cricket Australia was unable to provide immediate comment.

Other Australian states have joined hands to host the Ashes final, including NSW and Tasmania. “We have told Cricket Australia that we are here if they need help,” said NSW Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres.