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Tim Paine has said the Ashes will start on December 8, whether or not his counterpart Joe Root is on the tour, also giving Kevin Pietersen a clip for being “the expert in everything.”
Uncertainty over England’s participation in the cricket test series has been a topic of discussion in recent months, with visitors concerned about quarantine concessions, biosecurity restrictions, bubble fatigue and the family support.
The matter was even on the agenda when Prime Ministers Scott Morrison and Boris Johnson recently dined in Washington.
The England and Wales Cricket Council (ECB) will soon be urging players to sign up, wishing to nominate an Ashes team.
Root said earlier this week he was “desperate” to become England captain in the five-test series, but was not ready to commit due to uncertainty over arrangements in Australia.
Paine stressed that he didn’t care which Englishmen agreed to take a tour.
“They will have a choice to make, whether you get on this plane or you don’t,” the Australian captain told SEN radio station. “No one is forcing you to come. If you don’t want to come, don’t come.
“The Ashes are moving forward. The first Test takes place on December 8, whether Joe is there or not. There will be a team of English players who will come here.
Paine, who is recovering from neck surgery and expects to play several games for Tasmania before the Ashes start, questioned an Englishman was really not sure he was going to fly.
“We haven’t heard a single English player say he won’t come. I think he was beaten,” said the wicket-keeper.
“If you want to come and represent your country and play in an Ashes series, what Joe Root said is what they all want to do, is what they dream of doing, then come and do it.
“They all want to come, there’s no doubt about it. They are trying to get the best deal possible. But we all are. We don’t want to give them bad conditions because we’re going to be in the same boat. It’ll get better. “
The multi-format stars from Australia and England will take part in the Twenty20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates before flying to the Ashes.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan has urged Root’s team to commit to a tour of Australia.
But Pietersen, who has made 15 tests in Australia and also captain of England, said there was no chance he would fly unless “my family could travel unrestricted”.
“If you want to know anything about any topic in the world, just ask Kevin,” Paine said. “He’s an expert in everything. Kev, buddy, leave it to the players, let them talk.
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