CA looks to finalise India tour arrangements

Cricket Australia may soon need to contemplate employing one of its back-up plans for India's lucrative tour as Queensland government and health officials continue to mull over its quarantine proposal.

CA is yet to announce revised dates for this summer's international schedule, the highlight of which is a four-match Vodafone Test series between Australia and Virat Kohli's team.

The current plan is for Australia and India to play six white-ball matches in south-east Queensland, starting next month, before travelling to Adelaide for the first Test in mid-December.

But CA will need to rejig its draft schedule if its submission for players to quarantine in Brisbane, which includes booking out an entire hotel for India's touring party, is not rubber-stamped.

The governing body had what it described as "a productive meeting" with Queensland officials on Monday night.

"This is an extremely detailed and complex plan that places the health and safety of the community, players and staff as paramount," a CA spokesperson said.

"There is clarification required in order to finalise arrangements."

Sydney looms as one potential option if the Queensland pitch falls flat.

CA has already been working closely with the NSW Government as it prepares to stage the entire Rebel WBBL season in Sydney.

Perth and Adelaide were both investigated as potential quarantine options for the likes of Kohli, Steve Smith, Pat Cummins and Jasprit Bumrah before CA focused on creating plans for a Brisbane biosecurity bubble.

Australian and Indian stars are slated to leave the UAE, where they are taking part in the Indian Premier League, in approximately three weeks.

It underlines the seriousness and urgency of the challenge confronting CA.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has repeatedly insisted privately and publicly they are keen to tour but anxiety has grown in some quarters – especially among Australian broadcasters – as the wait for a signed-off program continues.

The only stumbling blocks at this stage are State Government approvals regarding quarantine arrangements.

CA recently hosted a trans-Tasman women's series at Brisbane's Allan Border Field, marking the first time a national sporting side had arrived in Australia since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But securing sign-offs for India's squad has proven notably more difficult as campaigning for an October 31 election gears up.

India's cumulative tally of coronavirus infections recently passed 7.5 million.

The United States is the only country that has recorded more COVID-19 cases.