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ith the recent spike of COVID-19 cases in South Australia, just one month before Australia’s first test match against India is set to take place at Adelaide Oval, Cricket Australia (CA) has taken a proactive approach to relocate whoever they can to NSW.

Cricket Australia interim CEO, Nick Hockley, said the organisation is making the necessary adjustments to ensure the summer cricket schedule will not be affected by COVID-19, with the Big Bash League (BBL) set to start just one week before Australia’s match against India.

“CA has taken a proactive approach and mobilised a number of people across the country over the past 24 hours to shore up our men’s domestic and international schedules,” Hockley said in a statement.

“I would like to thank the players and staff for their understanding regarding the changes to their travel schedules and for their commitment to ensuring the summer of cricket is a huge success.

“I would also like to thank the various leadership groups across Australian cricket for coming together over the past 48 hours and taking quick, decisive action, made possible by thorough, cross-department contingency planning.

“CA will continue to monitor the situation in South Australia and the resulting border restrictions around the country.

“As ever, we will remain agile in addressing the challenges presented by the pandemic and remain more confident than ever of hosting a safe and successful summer across all formats,” he said.

In the lead up to the start of the BBL season on December 10, the Adelaide Strikers and South Australia-based players from other clubs have relocated to a training base in Coffs Harbour.

With the now added uncertainty surrounding Australia’s state border closures due to South Australia’s COVID-19 spike, players and staff from Western Australia, Tasmania, and Queensland who are a part of Australia’s test squads will travel to Sydney to prepare for the both the ODI and T20 series.

Cricket Australia has not decided to relocate the first test match against India away from Adelaide, but the South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) has cancelled all cricket matches under its ruling for the next fortnight as the state tackles its rise in cases.