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The onset of the Coronavirus pandemic has ushered a new era in the sporting world and many of the existing rules have gone for a toss. While for a change many of the events including the biggest sporting extravaganza, the Olympics, is being staged in front of nearly empty stadiums, there have been several restrictions imposed on players who are participating or even officiating in these matches. Moreover, there are international travel restrictions and curbs which are also to be looked after while planning an international sporting competition.
Another word that has become synonymous with the hosting of a sporting event is "bubble." The players and sometimes the entire team are not allowed to leave their bio-secure bubble as breaking that invisible boundary can put the team as well as everyone involved in the competition at risk. It essentially means players will have no liberty to go anywhere except the training premises and hotel.
Families often allowed to travel with players to make bubble more bearable
In such a scenario, the mental health of the cricketers are also to be taken care of and several cricketing boards have been considerate of this fact and allowed families to travel with the players to ensure the bubble is a bit more bearable. However, ahead of a long tour of Australia for the traditional Ashes Series, it has been reported that the England players are not being allowed to take their families along for the tour.
In a recent update to this news, it is being learned that the Ashes series may even have to be cancelled if something is not worked out within the involved parties. It is being learned that the England players will have talks with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) with some even considering pulling out of that tour if their families are not allowed to travel with them.
If they can’t they should call the Ashes off: Vaughan
Earlier, former England captain Michael Vaughan had also weighed in on this issue.
"Read reports today that England cricketers may not be able to have family members with them down under this winter. Quite simply if they can’t they should call the Ashes off .. 4 months away from your family is totally unacceptable .. #Ashes," Vaughan had written on his Twitter handle.
Even Kevin Pietersen had echoed similar sentiments, as he wrote on Twitter, "Any ENG player that pulls out of this Ashes, if they seriously can't see their families for FOUR MONTHS, has my full backing. Families are the most important part of players make-up. And even more so in the current climate! FOUR MONTHS with no family on Ashes Tour?"