Coronavirus: NSW declared Sheffield Shield winners as rest of season cancelled

Cricket Australia has called for a country-wide ban, putting club finals in extreme doubt, as NSW was declared Sheffield Shield champions with the rest of the season abandoned.

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Cricket competitions around the country will need to decide whether to push ahead with club level finals and grand finals this weekend after Cricket Australia recommended a nation-wide shut down of the sport.

CA boss Kevin Roberts confirmed the Sheffield Shield final had been cancelled, with NSW declared the winners, and called for cricket around the county to come to an immediate halt in the wake of the coronavirus.

International cricket has been impacted around the world with several series abandoned and the lucrative Indian Premier League delayed until April 15.

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The final round of the Sheffield Shield has been called off. Picture: AAP

Roberts said CA could only recommend to each individual competition around Australia to stop their season, which could ruin the grand final dreams of plenty with finals matches  the only games remaining.

He said it was up to competition leaders to make the right decisions for their community.

“Decisive action so far has served us well and we are continuing in that vein,” Roberts said.

“We have made the decision to communicate a very strong recommendation to the cricket community that all levels of cricket including premier cricket are cancelled for the remainder of the season, following the same principles we have used in deciding to cancel the Sheffield Shield final.  

“It’s the right thing to do in the circumstances.”

NSW has been crowned champions of the Sheffield Shield after the remainder of the season was called off.

“I’m conscious a lot of cricket clubs around Australia were established in the 1800s, well before Cricket Australia was formed. They have been led by really capable voluntary administrators who are leaders in their community.

“We’ve got a role to be informed from the likes of the government and other experts and then provide advice and recommendations.

“But it’s the role of those leaders who we trust … to make the best decision for their communities based on their advice just as we are seeking to do for cricket more broadly.”

Cricket Australia CEO Kevin Roberts has called for a country-wide cricket shutdown. Picture: Getty

Roberts said the state cricket chairmen agreed unanimously to call off the final and given NSW the title given they were a clear two games ahead of Victoria in second place.

“We did have NSW 12 points clear the top of the table (with one round to go) which made our decision making a little easier,” Roberts said.

Roberts said he would be open to discussions with the AFL, which has opened the door to extend its season in to October or later, which could mean significant clashes with cricket.

But the CA boss said the T20 World Cup, which will take place in October in Australia with a final at the MCG on November 15, was set to go ahead as planned.

That would limit the AFL’s access to grounds around Australia with matches played at the SCG, Gabba, Adelaide Oval and the Perth Stadium.

“We are hoping all forms of sport can be played in a few weeks or a few months time. Our hope is very much we are back in normal circumstance in October when the T20 world cup is to be played,” he said.

“We would intend to work collaboratively with the AFL and other winter sports through this situation.

“But we have agreements in place with the Victorian government, the MCC for the venue and our assumption is they go ahead as planned.”