Kevin Pietersen has termed the prospect of England cricketers not seeing their family for four months during this winter's Ashes as "absolutely insane", and said he would support anyone who pulls out of the tour.
Players in both T20I and Test teams are facing the prospect of several months away from home with the Ashes touring after the T20 World Cup at the end of the year. Along with Australia's tougher Covid-19 protocols, which make it nearly impossible for casual visitors to travel to the country, it has raised the chances of players either pulling out of the series or England continuing with the rest and rotation policy which has been used. recent months.
Responding to an article in the Daily Mail outlining the issue, Pietersen wrote on Instagram: "Any England cricketer who pulls out of the Ashes tour this winter will have my full support. Four months to his family Not seeing is absolutely insane. Complete and utter madness!
"The Ashes tour is tough and it's foolish to do it without my family or part of it.
"After the last 12 months, players deserve their families whenever they want. And those who say 'they get paid, so suck it up', just shut up. The Ashes tour is a tough tour. The players need their Everyone rest and be happy.
"If I couldn't see my family for four months I would 100% pass out!"
Former England fast bowler Darren Gough, who has also served as a consultant coach with the current team, responded with the comment: "Me 2 dude".
As things stand, the England team is expected to leave for a limited-overs tour of Bangladesh on or around September 20. While some players are likely to be rested for that trip - and the brief series in Pakistan that follows - the games will fine-tune plans for the T20 World Cup in October. The Test team - as well as Lions players and those involved in the Big Bash - are expected to be in Australia in the second half of November before the Ashes begin on December 8. It is due to end in Perth after about six weeks.
It is understood that Cricket Australia is currently lobbying the Australian government on behalf of the ECB to allow an exemption for the families of the Ashes team. As the Daily Mail reports, the ECB is ready to pay for a charter flight to ensure families can join. But there are no guarantees at this stage and the recent spike in cases in Sydney will do nothing to improve chances.
If there is no arrangement, it looks like England will continue to rest and rotate their players. This has raised the real possibility that they will not field their strongest team at times during the Ashes series. England head coach Chris Silverwood has previously confirmed that he will be ready to rest players from the series if the need for bio-bubbles persists.
Earlier in the week, Jos Buttler admitted there were "no right answers" to the issues presented by England's never-ending travel lifestyle in the time of Covid, but reiterated his support for a rest and rotation policy.
Pietersen, the former England captain, was a member of the 2013–14 Ashes squad and witnessed the burn-out of Jonathan Trott for the first time. He has long called for a more sympathetic approach towards players.