India vs Australia: Warner, Abbott reach Melbourne ahead of schedule

Sydney, December 20: Star Australia opener David Warner and pacer Sean Abbott flew out to Melbourne ahead of schedule on Saturday (December 19) as concern's over Sydney's coronavirus cluster grew.

Warner and Abbott were recovering from a groin and calf injury respectively. The two, originally included in Australia's 17-member Test squad, had not travelled to Adelaide after opting to undergo rehab in Sydney.

However, the pair left for Melbourne to avoid being caught in Sydney where the number of cases in the northern beaches increased, according to a report in 'Sydney Mornig Herald'.

The increase in cases has forced the New South Wales government to impose restrictions and Cricket Australia is not taking any chances considering the situation and the possibility of Victorian government shutting its border.

"Given the concern Victoria might close the border to people coming from Sydney, plans were quickly made on Saturday for the pair to head to Melbourne to start isolating there before linking up with the travelling Test series bubble when the Australian and Indian squads fly there following the first Test," the report stated.

India vs Australia: SCG Test not threatened by COVID-19 outbreak, says CA

Currently, anyone who has visited COVID hotspots in Sydney has to quarantine for two weeks if they enter Victoria.

The outbreak in Sydney also impacted the broadcasters with former Australian pacer and Fox Cricket commentator Brett Lee deciding to return home in northern Sydney on Friday (December 18).

Two Sydney-based members of the broadcaster had also returned home, two more decided to work from hotel while three members of the SEN commentary team, which was covering the first Test, left Adelaide.

The Boxing Day Test is scheduled to begin in Melbourne from December 26.