IPL 2021: Chris Lynn urges Cricket Australia to arrange chartered flight for Australian players
Chris Lynn is an Australian hard-hitting opening batsman who plays for defending Indian Premier League champion Mumbai Indians. India is currently going through the severe second wave of COVID-19, as Australia has suspended air transport between the two countries.
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FollowIndia is currently under severe pressure owing to the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic that has swept the entire nation, with record new cases on the rise. More than 3,50,000 new cases have been registered as of Sunday, while Australia has suspended its flight operations with the country until May 15.
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Meanwhile, amidst all of it, the Indian Premier League 2021 continues to be conducted in full flow, behind closed doors and along with strict bio-bubble norms in place. At the same time, Australian opening batsman Chris Lynn, who plays for defending champion Mumbai Indians, has urged Cricket Australia to arrange chartered flights for the Australian player once the tournament concludes.
"I texted back that as Cricket Australia make 10% of every IPL contract, was there a chance we could spend that money this year on a charter flight once the tournament is over? I know there are people worse off than us. But, we are going from a really tight bubble and are getting vaccinated next week, so hopefully, the government will let us get home on a private charter," Lynn was quoted as saying to News Corp.
Speaking on the issue, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said, "This wasn't part of an Australian tour. They're under their own resources. And they'll be using those resources to, I'm sure, to see them return to Australia in accordance with their own arrangements."
Earlier, on Sunday evening, three Australian players (Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson) withdrew from the tournament, citing the COVID surge in the country. Meanwhile, Aussie pacer Pat Cummins, who plays for Kolkata Knight Riders, contributed $50,000 to India to arrange enough oxygen supplies to treat the patients.
NOTE: Asianet News humbly requests everyone to wear masks, sanitise, maintain social distancing and get vaccinated as soon as eligible. Together we can and will break the chain #ANCares #IndiaFightsCorona
