The Covid-19 pandemic is causing a lot of suffering for people from different strolls of life as quickly growing cases over the world have hindered the course of getting life back to normal. Sportspersons are feeling the burden as well. As outdoor activities are constrained and hence, they are not able to train the way they did. Holding international tournaments is also tricky due to several travel restrictions and quarantine issues.
West Indies and England are currently engaged in a three-match Test series where the England Cricket Board (ECB) have created a bio-secure bubble for both teams to ensure the games are conducted smoothly. But to ensure this, players from the touring team had to reach England early to complete a period in quarantine. This is expected to go on for some more time as the pandemic is far from being under control. Australia opener David Warner, in an interview with ESPNCricinfo, has said that he might consider retirement if the situation does not get better soon keeping his family in mind.
“Obviously three daughters and my wife, who I owe a lot to, has been a big part of my playing career,” Warner said. “You always need to look out for your family first, and with cricket and these extraordinary times, you’ve got to weigh up these choices. The T20 [World Cup] is not here Australia (at home), which would have been perfect to play and win here. Now it gets pushed back. I will have to rethink about it (World Cup) when it comes to India.”
“I’ll see where I am and where the girls are at with school as well. A lot of that is a big part of my decision. It’s not just when the games are being played and how much cricket’s being played. It’s a big family decision for myself. There are times when you go away and miss your family a lot and at the moment with all these biosecurity measures that are in place, we’re going to not be able to have the luxury of our families coming away with us now and it could be for the foreseeable future.” he conceded.
Warner went on to mention that the situation is unclear in their respective states due to the lockdown situation in response to COVID-19.
Besides, he stated that all the players could do is train indoors, keep themselves fit, and practice on the wickets provided to get ready for international fixtures.
“We’re obviously unsure and unclear given states are in lockdown or not letting people from other states go interstate. We have to sit back and wait for the government and states to see what the regulations are behind that. All we can do really is train with our states and prepare as well as we can on the wickets provided to get ready for the season” Warner said.
“As the prime minister [Scott Morrison] said, we might not be able to go overseas or visitors won’t be able to come into Australia. They are things that we need to play by ear and if and when I do make that decision, it’ll be predominantly a family decision.” He added.
The Australian team that is expected to play limited-overs series in England in September, Warner is expected to be part of it. Which will be followed by the Indian Premier League and then the Australian summer schedule which has a full-sized all-format series against the Indians.
