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COVID cloud looms over women's Ashes, World Cup

Chief selector Shawn Flegler says Australia are anticipating players will contract COVID-19 during the Ashes, despite biosecurity protocols in place

Australia and England have been warned players who contract COVID-19 towards the end of the women's Ashes won't be allowed to travel to New Zealand for the upcoming World Cup.


Australia's Ashes squad is set to be announced next week and players will be under pre-series biosecurity protocols before going into camp in Adelaide on January 17.

They will take part in the multi-format series against England before leaving for a 10-day quarantine period in New Zealand ahead of the World Cup, which runs from March 4 to April 3.

But the threat of COVID-19 looms large, with officials told late additions to Australia's World Cup squad of 17 players won't be allowed under current regulations set out by New Zealand Health and the International Cricket Council.

"It's going to be tough," chief selector Shawn Flegler said when asked if a player who contracts COVID just before the scheduled flight to New Zealand will be able to travel over at a later date.

"Our plans are still that we'll go as a group straight after the Ashes. If things do change and we can get players over later, then we'll look to do that.

"But at the moment, it's one group leaving and doing quarantine together. So that's why we're trying to put protocols in place to minimise any issues with COVID (during the Ashes).

"But as we've seen over the last few weeks with the BBL and other competitions, it can be very difficult.

"We're trying to minimise that and control it as much as we can, but I think we've got to expect that something may happen."

The strict travel regulations raise the prospect of key players missing the tournament entirely if they contract the virus in early February and are forced to isolate, meaning they miss the one chance they have to fly to New Zealand with their teammates.

Last month, the New Zealand government pushed back the start of its phased border re-openings until at least the end of February and there remains uncertainty about exactly when free travel between the two countries will recommence.

Flegler said the nature of the back-to-back tournaments means the women would face tighter restrictions during the Ashes than the men as cases surge around the country.

Despite this, he is still anticipating players to contract the virus during the Ashes given the sheer number of cases in the community.

"The way that we're looking at it is we have to be prepared that there'll be players who will miss games," he said.

"The strength that we do have is we've got a number of players that could come in and take the place of someone who does have COVID.

"We need to keep in mind England as well. Their focus is on the Ashes but also on defending the World Cup title.

"If we do have to tighten things down towards the back end of the series (to minimise risk ahead of the World Cup), we will look to do that.

"We're trying to balance that with making sure that our players and staff can try and live with some sort of normality."

Four matches of the Women's National Cricket League scheduled for this weekend have already been postponed, with Flegler declining to say whether any players in the expected Ashes or Australia A squads were already affected by COVID.

"There's a few things that we're working through, that's for sure," he added.

Flegler said the Ashes squad picked next week will be larger than normal to cover all three formats and cover a range of positions should replacement players be needed.

Commonwealth Bank Women's Ashes v England

Jan 20: First T20, Adelaide Oval

Jan 22: Second T20, Adelaide Oval

Jan 23: Third T20, Adelaide Oval

Jan 27-30: Test match, Manuka Oval

Feb 3: First ODI, Manuka Oval

Feb 6: Second ODI, Junction Oval

Feb 8: Third ODI, Junction Oval

Australia A v England A

Jan 20: First T20, Karen Rolton Oval, Adelaide

Jan 21: Second T20, Karen Rolton Oval, Adelaide

Jan 23: Third T20, Karen Rolton Oval, Adelaide

Jan 28: First OD, Philip Oval, Canberra

Jan 30: Second OD, Philip Oval, Canberra

Feb 2: Third OD, Philip Oval, Canberra