Australia wicketkeeper Matthew Wade said he would not be passing judgment on England having concerns about Covid requirements when travelling for the Ashes.
England’s Ashes tour is set to go ahead at full strength after the England and Wales Cricket Board gave the Australia trip the conditional green light.
An ECB board meeting on Friday approved the tour “subject to several critical conditions being met”, while it is understood there will be some leeway for players to train outdoors during their mandatory 14-day quarantine period when entering the country.
Speaking to reporters from hotel quarantine in Abu Dhabi ahead of the T20 World Cup, Wade said: “In these times, it’s challenging for everyone.
“You know, it’s easy to judge people and decisions that individuals are making but until you’ve been put in these environments, in these positions, and had to play under these conditions, I think it’s hard to pass judgement on anyone.”
Australia will meet England at the group stage of the World Cup, more than a month before the first Ashes Test is due to begin in Brisbane.
Wade said: “Some guys struggle more with quarantine than others, there’s no hiding that.
I don't pass judgement on any team or any individual for the challenges that they're facing
“That’s the challenge that professional cricketers have at the moment. You know, our sport is played overseas, we have to go overseas to play and to keep the game going, we understand that, and (some) individuals find it harder than others.
“There’s no difference between what England are going through now to what every other team goes through to go away and play.
“It’s not easy and I don’t pass judgement on any team or any individual for the challenges that they’re facing.
“They’re trying to work it all out. And I’m confident the Ashes is going to go ahead. It’s never been a doubt in my mind, to be honest. But there are challenging parts of it.”
