A change in quarantine rules in NSW has led to calls for the Ashes to be moved from the Gabba to the SCG on December 8.
The ECB granted conditional approval for the series to go ahead after delayed talks over quarantine conditions initially put the traditional clash in doubt.
England is expected to arrive in Queensland with a full strength squad in mid November to serve its quarantine for the Brisbane Test but NSW’s unexpected decision to open its borders to international arrivals from November 1 has sparked calls for a venue change.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet made the surprise announcement on Friday and cricket legends from both countries jumped on the news to push for Sydney to get the nod for the series opener.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan and spin great Shane Warne both endorsed an overhaul to avoid quarantine, with the former England captain saying it “makes sense” to begin the series at the SCG.
“With NSW looking like the state who now realise we have to learn to live with this virus it makes total sense to start the Ashes in Sydney,” he tweeted.
“Why put players/broadcasters through quarantine when NSW look like double vaccinated non positive tested people won’t have too ? #Thoughts”.
Warne emphatically supported the notion on social media, having been a vocal critic of quarantine rules in the past.
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“Love this idea!” Warne tweeted.
“Over to you @CricketAus! And let’s hope all states take NSW lead on this.
“Especially for my poor fellow Victorians.”
Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley shot down talk last week there were plans to shift the first Ashes Test from the Gabba, even though Queensland and Western Australia’s borders are still closed.
“Absolutely our plan is to play the matches as scheduled,” he said.
The Gabba has traditionally hosted the first Test of the summer, while Sydney usually hosts the last game of the Ashes series in the new year.
England’s record at the Gabba has been terrible, winning only two Tests there since 1945.
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