The whole world has been significantly affected due to the widespread of Coronavirus. More than 140,000 people have tested positive for the deadly virus with death tolls rising up to over 5,400 deaths. The worse hit countries have been China where the virus originated is one of the major counties that’s been hit by the virus affecting 80,000 people of the country. The virus’s spread to Europe, especially in Italy, has affected 17,600 cases with Iran having more than 11,000 cases.
The World Health Organisation has declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. It has lead to many sporting events being canceled or postponed throughout the world.
The cricketing world has been severely compromised because of the same. England has canceled their tour to Sri Lanka, and the South Africa team is ready to fly back home as their associations have postponed the ongoing ODI series against hosts India. The Star-studded IPL also has been postponed and rescheduled to begin on April 15 instead of its original date of the season, March 29.
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New Zealand’s cricket team association has called back all the players and staff members who were in Australia for the ongoing ODI series. The New Zealand government has issued a ban on entry and exit from the country amidst the outbreak of this deadly disease. To avoid mass gatherings, the ODI series between New Zealand and hosts Australia was played behind closed doors.
Australia had won the first of the three ODIs in an empty Sydney Cricket Ground. However, a loss to the Australia team wasn’t a big issue of worry for the black caps as there was a threat of the virus affecting one of New Zealand’s cricketers after the match.
New Zealand fast bowler, Lockie Ferguson complained of a sore throat after the first ODI at the SCG. As a precautionary measure, the NZ staff members placed Ferguson and in isolation for the next 24 hours. Ferguson underwent on the ailment following the 71-run loss, given his international travel from New Zealand in the past week.
New Zealand Cricket spokesman said in a statement, “In accordance with recommended health protocols, Lockie Ferguson has been placed in isolation at the team hotel for the next 24hrs after reporting a sore throat at the end of the first ODI.”
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The statement further read– “Once the test results are received and diagnosed, his return to the team can be determined.” Ferguson’s tests for coronavirus came back negative allowing the player to join follow his teammates as they traveled back to New Zealand.
Earlier before the first ODI began, Australia’s fast bowler Kane Richardson also complained of being unwell, He too was forced to miss the first ODI due to sore throat. Lockie was sent for precautionary novel COVID-19 testing. He was cleared of the coronavirus after testing. The remaining two ODI matches and the T20I series between are postponed due to the looming threat of Coronavirus.
