New Zealand pace bowler Lockie Ferguson has recently survived the scare of the novel coronavirus. After reporting a sore throat to the team management on Friday, he was in isolation and also he was sent for COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) tests. However, he has now reached home.
“Certainly got a few texts on Saturday but I was quick to announce that it was only a few cold symptoms and happy to be home now,” Lockie Ferguson was quoted as saying to ESPNCricinfo.
Lockie Ferguson was in Sydney for the three-match ODI series, but the series has been cancelled later due to the novel coronavirus. However, the speedster wants to get back in the action soon.
“No. Probably a bit over-exaggerated as to how I was,” he said. “I just sort of had very, very mild cold symptoms and the procedures were as they were and followed by Tommy [Simsek, physio] and the support staff. Completely understandable. So yeah, kinda had a day in the hotel room by myself.
“It was strange certainly playing the game under the circumstances and with an empty crowd. For sure, that was an odd experience. At the same time, we were a little bit disappointed with how the game ended up. And yeah, that night I was sort of taken to get swabs and talked to the doctor there and fortunately all was good and yeah happy to be home,” he added.
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However, he shared his thoughts on the pandemic virus that has been affecting everyone across the globe. The Kiwis have reached home on Saturday but he stayed back in Sydney for the precautionary measure and could only travel after the deadline.
“Um, from my point of view, I just thought it was normal small cold symptoms,” he said. “Get quite rundown from time to time playing cricket and travelling a bit. So not too unusual for me. But as I said, Tommy our physio and the doctors followed procedure as is needed. So yes, been 24 hours in isolation but that’s okay. And I’ll be honest, I actually felt good the next day I woke up. I was fine.”
“We had pretty clear comms from our support staff. We knew if we got back tonight it’d be all good,” he said. “So when we got the negative test for the virus last night we just took it as we can and then it was nice to come home today. Fortunately, it was only the day. So not too bad. They went home last night and just had to stay the one more night in Sydney. Not too many issues there,” shared the fast bowler.
“I think everyone in every industry is probably feeling it a little bit. Not just us in sport. Certainly we want to play cricket but under these circumstances we are following the directions of people in much higher power than me. Yeah just taking it in my stride but looking forward to playing cricket soon. So I’ll get back with the Aces boys tomorrow and see what the plan is going forward,” Lockie Ferguson concluded.
