Alyssa Healy sparks storm with swipe at 'whinging' Indian team

Alyssa Healy has sparked a social media storm after taking a thinly-veiled swipe at the Indian cricket team’s complaints about their accommodation in Brisbane.

India’s cricket board has reportedly complained to Cricket Australia about several aspects of the Brisbane bubble that Ajinkya Rahane’s team will call home until the Test series ends.

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The tourists had been reluctant to travel to Queensland’s capital for the series decider that begins at the Gabba on Friday, worried about what sort of biosecurity restrictions could be on the cards.

CA chief executive Nick Hockley could be forgiven for breathing a sigh of relief on Monday after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) agreed to arrangements proposed by the home board and Queensland officials.

But the tourists made it clear to CA after Tuesday’s check-in that their experience did not meet expectations, according to several media outlets in India.

India’s concerns reportedly included the standard of the gym, the fact that the hotel pool and restaurant were closed, and absence of room service and housekeeping.

Speaking to the Times of India, an unnamed member of the tourists’ squad describing the hotel as a “prison for all practical purposes”.

“We are locked up in our rooms, have to make our own beds, clean our own toilets,” the source said.

“Food is coming from a nearby Indian restaurant which will be given to us on our floor. We can’t move out of the floor that’s been designated to us.”

Alyssa Healy takes aim at ‘whinging’ Indian team

Responding to the reports on Twitter on Wednesday, Aussie cricket star Healy - wife of men’s team star Mitchell Starc - took a cheeky swipe at the Indians.

“The Aus and NZ women’s teams did their quarantine in the same hotel last year. Here’s a shock — we survived …” Healy wrote, a tweet that sparked backlash from Indian fans.

Responding to one fan who asked if she’d ever spent four months in quarantine, Healy wrote: “There’s a few Aus players who haven’t been home since July - haven’t heard them whinge yet.”

Former Test bowler and Channel 7 commentator Trent Copeland added onto Healy’s tweet, replying: “I mean seriously, who makes their own bed??”

Healy’s tweet sparked some ugly responses from fans, forcing her to double down on Thursday morning.

“Love how passionate you all are,” she said.

“For those of you having a a huge whinge (most). Here’s some perspective. We’re in a GLOBAL pandemic. Countries are shut, people are dying and international travel is remarkably hard especially for those trying to come home.

“The fact that we (yes I play cricket as a woman) are able to travel the world and still do our job whilst many around the globe have lost theirs is a privilege.

“It’s tough, it’s not easy everyone has to sacrifice things - but it’s still a privilege and a choice we made to keep our sport going.

“Government mandated quarantine isn’t much fun but at least cricketers can get out and train/play for trophies which clearly mean so much. Just have a little perspective people!”

Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle attempted to explain the team’s gripes, calling on Healy and Copeland to cut them some slack.

“Trent, Alyssa, my feeling is that these are quotes picked out of a larger conversation. Everyone is on edge and I think the key is what they were promised versus what they were delivered,” Bhogle tweeted.

“These are stressful times for everyone. Let us all cut each other some slack.”

India’s complaints about Brisbane accommodation

Queensland’s border is currently closed to travellers from Sydney because of COVID-19 cases, meaning Australia and India’s squads had to shuffle into hotel quarantine after their chartered flight touched down in Brisbane.

The state government has provided exemptions for players to train and play at the Gabba, and mingle in communal areas of the inner-city hotel that has been booked out entirely by CA.

There is a three-day break between the third and fourth Tests, with the injury-riddled touring party keen to ensure its players can recover as well as possible while in lockdown.

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, secretary Jay Shah and chief executive Hemang Amin all reportedly raised concerns about what they were hearing from the team on the ground.

“The board has been told that the team has been given access to all the lifts in the hotel. They can use a gym too. It has been assured that there will be room service and housekeeping,” a BCCI official said.

“The team has also been given a team room where they can assemble and have meetings. Only the swimming pool is not open.

“The players are exhausted and have retired to their rooms. But they would like to go out for a stroll later ... BCCI is always by the side of its players and will ensure they get the best treatment.”

with AAP

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