South Australia’s Sheffield Shield game against Queensland will be closed to the public due to coronavirus

The Sheffield Shield has become latest cricket competition to be hit for six by the coronavirus, with spectators urged not to attend South Australia’s final round match against Queensland.

Chadd Sayers of the Redbacks bats during day 4 of the Marsh Sheffield Shield cricket match between the South Australia Redbacks and the Victoria Bushrangers at Adelaide Oval in Adelaide, Monday, March 9, 2020. (AAP Image/David Mariuz) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY, IMAGES TO BE USED FOR NEWS REPORTING PURPOSES ONLY, NO COMMERCIAL USE WHATSOEVER, NO USE IN BOOKS WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT FROM AAP

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South Australian Cricket Association chief executive Keith Bradshaw says fans will be excluded from next week’s Sheffield Shield clash in Adelaide as the COVID-19 pandemic affects sports fixtures globally.

SACA has advised the public against attending the Redbacks’ last game of the season against Queensland starting Tuesday at Karen Rolton Oval.

Australia’s three-match one-day series against New Zealand, which started in Sydney on Friday, is being played behind closed doors, while America’s NBA season has been suspended.

“While we understand this is disappointing for some fans, this is a necessary action following government health advice,” Bradshaw said.

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Harry Nielsen batting for South Australia. Picture: AAP Image/David Mariuz

“We urge patrons to stay away from the ground to not only preserve the health of our players and staff, but to also not put their own health at risk.

“We thank South Australian cricket fans for their loyal support of all of our teams this season.”

The Karen Rolton Oval pavilion will be strictly inaccessible to the public and there will be no food and beverage options available.

There will be no shaded areas or public car parking.

The Shield clash may only have attracted a few hundred spectators daily, but there is increased interest in the Redbacks’ first game since head coach Jamie Siddons stepped down on Tuesday.

Former Test batsman Greg Blewett has been appointed interim head coach in a game the Redbacks must win to avoid finishing bottom.