BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE ongoing limited over series between Australia and host West Indies is the latest cricket tournament to be impacted by the Coronavirus.
After playing six matches in the eight-match T20 and ODI series, the COVID-19 outbreak has forced the postponement of the second one-day international in Barbados yesterday (July 22)..
As the game was about to get underway following the coin toss, the players were not able to take to the field as there was a suspension.
For more than an hour, there was silence on what was the cause for the delay of play. However, Trinidadian and International Commentator Ian Bishop hinted that there was a positive case.
Cricket West Indies, in a media statement, confirmed that a “ non-playing member of the West Indies staff” tested positive for COVID-19.
“The second CG Insurance ODI between West Indies and Australia has been postponed due to a positive COVID-19 test result from a non-playing member of the West Indies staff. This decision was taken after the toss at Kensington Oval once the result was known.” the statement read.
COVID-19 has impacted several international bilateral series, along with the lucrative India Premier League which half of its season rescheduled for September.
In order to protect the players and staff, the necessary COVID-19 protocols were instituted, forcing all involved to return to the hotel.
“The established COVID-19 protocols stipulate that all members of both teams and match officials will return immediately to the team hotel and will be re-tested later today. They will remain in isolation in their hotel rooms until their PCR-Test results are returned,” CWI added.
A decision on when the match will be replayed will be made at a later date, once all the test results are confirmed.
