Adelaide: With the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) spreading rapidly, there is uncertainty over India’s tour to Australia later this year. However, if the Virat Kohli-led side travels Down Under, Adelaide Oval’s new hotel (Oval Hotel) is likely to be used as quarantine centre for Indian players.
According to
The Age newspaper in Australia, South Australia Cricket Association (SACA) chief Keith Bradshaw has reached out to Cricket Australia (CA) boss Kevin Roberts to offer Adelaide Oval’s new hotel for use by Kohli's side if they are allowed into the country.
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During their tour to Australia, India will play four Tests (Border-Gavaskar Trophy). In 2018-19, they won their first-ever Test series on Australian soil, under the leadership of Kohli.
The Oval Hotel is being built at a cost of (Australian dollars) $42 million and will be opened in September this year before Australia hosts the ICC T20 World Cup 2020 from October 18. The boutique hotel will have 138 rooms.
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The Age report said, “Kangaroo Island and Rottnest Island have also been mooted as potential self-isolation sites for a visiting team. Under current measures, visitors must isolate for 14 days, which is problematic for elite athletes who need to train in order to maintain conditioning and form for competition.
“An attraction of the Adelaide Oval hotel as a quarantine centre is it would enable the world No.1 Test nation to train in first-class cricket facilities at the adjacent nets as well and give them access to suitable dining and nutrition options.
“A warm-up match could also be staged at the venue, which would need to be closed off to the public during the isolation period, once the mandatory two weeks have been completed.”
If the series against India is cancelled, CA could lose “up to $300 million”, said the newspaper report. “The cancellation of the Tests against India could cost CA potentially up to $300 million in lost TV revenue.”