Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21: Ian Chappell upset over COVID regulations denying him commentary duty

India is taking on Australia in a four-Test series to defend its Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Australia has placed strict COVID norms to help contain the spread of the coronavirus. Meanwhile, some commentators have faced the wrath, as they miss out on commentary duty.

Team Newsable

Sydney NSW, First Published Dec 22, 2020, 3:09 PM IST

India faces a daunting task ahead in its four-Test series to defend its Border-Gavaskar Trophy, as it trails 0-1 after losing the opening day-night Test in Adelaide. Meanwhile, the series is notable for being played under strict COVID norms, placed by the Australia government, to help contain the spread of the coronavirus.

However, some of the cricketers are not happy with the strictness of the norms, especially in the bio-bubble sphere. Meanwhile, it has also affected the jobs of the commentators, as a couple of them are to miss out on their duty for the upcoming Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, starting Friday.

According to The Daily Telegraph, former Australian skipper and now commentator, Ian Chappell, who was doing his duty during the Adelaide Test, was asked by the Southern Australia government, mid-way on Day 2, to leave the venue and isolate himself. It came following the recent outbreaks in Sydney, as he hails from Northern Beaches.

“It’s disappointing, but you have to do what you are told to do. I will have a COVID test tomorrow morning and I’m not sure what will happen after that. We will have to wait and see,” Chappell had told back then.

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Meanwhile, after undergoing a new test, he has tested negative and is waiting for further instructions. Chappell was disappointed at the fact that he was evicted from the Adelaide Oval, a venue where he has a stand to his name.

“Well, I’m waiting for some b****** to tell me. But, I’m hopefully on the plane tomorrow (back to Sydney). I’ve got no chance of being there at the Boxing Day Test (on commentary duty). I’d say we’re going to have to do it with a Melbourne-only crew,” he was quoted as saying to Wide World of Sports.

Also, former Australian pacer and fellow commentator, Brett Lee, left Adelaide last Friday to travel back to Sydney, to spend time with his family, ahead of Christmas. Both Chappell and Lee commentate for Australia’s Fox Sports and Channel 7.

“We had a good talk last night. He went back this morning. Of course, everyone is being responsible and he totally understood that. We have had to send out a number of staff to get them tested. Brett is in the air now, he’s gone back this morning. It was just the right thing to do and he was very comfortable doing that,” said Steve Crawley, executive director of Fox Sports.

Last Updated Dec 22, 2020, 3:14 PM IST