Covid Australia: Shane Warne says The Ashes should be played instate so UK cricketers

Shane Warne has slammed Australia’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic as parts of the nation continue to suffer through lengthy lockdowns while other countries have already reopened. 

The Aussie cricket legend, who is currently living in London, said his homeland has fallen behind the rest of the world in transitioning to living with the virus. 

The sports star said Covid-19 will be around ‘for a long time’ and Australia ‘needs to learn to live with it’ rather than resorting to shutting down the economy.  

‘Looking here in the UK, they’re learning to live with it. They think it’s unrealistic to have zero COVID,’ he told the Today show on Tuesday. 

‘They’ve pleaded with the whole country to get vaccinated. Last time I looked, it was around 80 or 85% of the population were double vaccinated. 

‘All small businesses are allowed to open, people are allowed to travel, people are going to sporting events. It’s back to normal, you can go down the street without a mask. 

‘I look at Australia, are we trying to live with it or eradicate it?’ 

Warne also called for The Ashes to be played in ‘open border’ states, such as NSW and VIC, to avoid UK cricketers quarantining twice. 

English players have threatened to boycott the sporting event if their families are unable to travel with them Down Under due to Australia’s hardline international arrival policy. 

While Warne believes Cricket Australia will likely strike a deal with the government to allow families on the tour, he thinks their decision to play will hinge on whether they will be required to do multiple 14-day stints in mandatory isolation. 

‘The hardest thing I think for the England players is they have to quarantine in Australia.

The Australian cricket legend said the UK has already opened up businesses (pictured) and is adjusting to living with Covid

‘The first 14 days, with their families, that’s fine – [but] it’s hard for them to make the decision because the states keep changing their rules. 

‘Let’s say the first Test is in Brisbane and then they have to travel to Adelaide or Perth after that it’s very hard with the regulations. They will have to do another 14-day quarantine. Then Perth won’t let you in.’  

‘It’s fantastic to have a Test match in every state, but if the WA and Queensland bosses and leaders and Premiers don’t want to let people in and everyone has to do 14-day quarantine, then they won’t have a Test match.

Warne said Cricket Australia will likely rethink where the series is held, and suggested it take place in regions without intrastate quarantine requirements.

‘Maybe there’s a couple of Test matches in Sydney, maybe a couple in Melbourne and one somewhere else, maybe Tasmania or something like that, whatever states will allow them in after they’ve done the original 14 days of quarantine.’