Bizarre scenes as Big Bash bad boys socially distance during match

Two BBL stars were kept in the naughty corner on Monday night as cricket took one of its most bizarre steps yet in a truly weird year.

Chris Lynn and Dan Lawrence were in the naughty corner.

Everything looks weird in 2020 but cricket took things to a new level on Monday night by asking two Big Bash stars to socially distance during a match.

Brisbane Heat captain Chris Lynn and English import Dan Lawrence are being investigated for a possible breach of the COVID-19 bubble in Canberra on Saturday but were still allowed to play in last night’s loss to Sydney Thunder, albeit at a distance from everyone else.

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Lynn and Lawrence were forced to sit in a different dugout to their teammates while waiting to bat, and were instructed not to get too close to other players in huddles or wicket celebrations during the clash.

The batsmen dined out in Canberra on Saturday night, which they are allowed to do provided they remain outside and stick to their own group, but reports suggest they may have come into contact with members of the public.

Despite Cricket Australia being made aware of the breach before the match against the Thunder started, Lynn and Lawrence were still allowed to play.

However, The Daily Telegraph reports this had more to do with there not being enough time to fully investigate the alleged incident and officials may yet punish the Heat stars if they are found guilty of breaching the bio-secure bubble.

The publication also reports rival players were “filthy” with the breach and other franchises confused as to why Lynn and Lawrence weren’t stood down for the game as an investigation was carried out.

Both players tested negative for COVID-19 in the wake of the alleged breach but being forced to socially distance during proceedings made for some bizarre scenes at Manuka Oval.

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A socially distanced team talk at Manuka Oval. Chris Lynn & Dan Lawrence cleared to play but “required to maintain a physical distance from other players and match officials” while CA investigate a possible breach of COVID protocols #BBL10 pic.twitter.com/8xDClmKtgF

— Martin Smith (@martinsmith9994) December 14, 2020

Lynn and Lawrence were in the naughty corner.

Cricket greats and Fox Sports commentators Mark Waugh, Brendon Julian and Brett Lee called for a relaxing of bubble restrictions given the low levels of COVID-19 in the community, while CA’s Head of Security and Integrity Sean Carroll said it was still important for protocols to be followed.

“It is important we maintain the integrity of the bio-secure hub to ensure the safety of the public, players, staff and officials and minimise issues associated with travel between state borders during the tournament,” Carroll said.

“While we are fortunate to live in a country with a low rate of infection compared with many other parts of the world, we are still in the midst of a global pandemic and, as we’ve seen on a number of occasions in Australia, COVID-19 breakouts and border closures remain a genuine risk.

“We are always monitoring the public health situation and attempting to strike the appropriate biosecurity balance between keeping everyone safe on both sides of the hub and providing as much freedom as possible for those within it.

“We appreciate that this has been a challenging year for everyone, but we must insist on our biosecurity measures being respected and followed so as not to jeopardise public health and safety or the viability of the tournament.”

CA’s Chief Medical Officer John Orchard said before Monday’s BBL game he was confident social distancing within a game was possible for Lynn and Lawrence.

“We’re confident this will be successfully achieved again tonight at Manuka Oval,” Orchard said. “They must maintain a physical distance on and particularly off the field (indoors) with teammates, opposing players, staff and match officials.

“We have protocols in place for all matches for interaction between those inside and outside the hub.

“Factors including the outdoor nature of the contest, the generally socially-distanced nature of cricket on-field and the fact Canberra is considered a low-risk city support the conclusion that both can play tonight without posing a meaningful risk.”