Joe Root commits to Ashes tour, saving Cricket Australia a $200 million headache
England captain Joe Root has committed to touring Australia, saving Cricket Australia a financial blow of up to $200 million that would've come with an Ashes boycott.
Root's commitment comes after the Ashes series, scheduled to begin on December 8 in Brisbane, had come under a cloud of uncertainty amid displeasure from the England camp regarding quarantine regulations in Australia.
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However, according to The Telegraph in London, Root was convinced after a second video link-up with Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley this week where all queries regarding quarantines were clarified.
Root's commitment is likely to ensure that England is able to send a near full-strength squad down under, barring any injured players.
The 30-year-old's decision to tour is a massive source of relief for Australian cricket after reports revealed the eye-watering financial loss of $200 million that could've come with a cancellation.
Root's commitment is a massive source of relief for Cricket Australia who would've faced a $200m loss with an Ashes boycott Getty
According to a report from The Age, of the $200 million lost, approximately $100 million would be a "direct impact" on Cricket Australia's broadcast deal with the Seven Network and Fox, while the remainder would be made up by sponsorship, overseas broadcast rights and ticket sales.
The impact of the Ashes withdrawal would also be felt at the grassroots level, with a "large chunk" of the $200 million payday going towards grassroots cricket around the country.
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England's commitment is expected to be made official later this week before England coach Chris Silverwood selects his touring party.
It is understood that country Victoria became a key to easing England's quarantine concerns and has been raised as a potential base for the partners and families of the touring party.
Families who do not arrive to quarantine in Queensland in November are set to be housed at a resort booked in the Yarra Valley wine region in mid-December, after they fly from the UK to Melbourne.
In remains to be seen whether Root's commitment helps ease the concerns of teammates such as Jos Buttler Getty
These developments come after Australian legend Shane Warne suggested that Cricket Australia could have to revamp its schedule.
"Everyone wants the Ashes to go ahead, I think there'll be some sort of Ashes," he told Nine's TODAY earlier this week.
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"Maybe a couple of Test matches in Sydney, a couple in Melbourne and maybe one somewhere else, maybe Tasmania, whatever states will allow them in after they've done the original 14 days quarantine.
"It's fantastic to have a Test match in every state, but if the WA and Queensland premiers don't want to let people in, and everyone has to do 14 days quarantine, then they won't have a Test match.
"They just had an AFL grand final in Perth, I don't know what the difference is."
Australian white-ball captain Aaron Finch welcomed the news that England's best players would be touring.
James Anderson is likely to again lead the England attack. Getty
"It's obviously a difficult situation for them," he said.
"They've been dragged from pillar to post with their schedule over the last couple of months. They've played a lot of Test cricket, so I can understand where they're coming from.
"Having families around, especially in a pandemic - guys are on the road for a lot longer than what tours used to go, when you're adding on quarantine at the start and potentially at the end.
"I sympathise fully with them. That is difficult, but it's great to see Joe's supported that and they're going to come down."
