Cricket Australia yet make decision on whether to cancel New Zealand ODI series

Cricket Australia consults with infectious diseases expert as it weighs up whether to go ahead with ODI series against New Zealand from tomorrow.

Australian ODI captain Aaron Finch (centre, with football) speaks to players and officials at the SCG yesterday. Picture: AAP

Cricket Australia is yet to make a decision on the ODI series against New Zealand in light of fears around the COVID-19 pandemic, but its medical staff has consulted infectious disease experts and is meeting constantly to monitor the situation which a spokesman admits could change at any time.

Cricket, like other sports, is confronting the realities of the situation. Bangladesh has postponed two games between an Asia XI and World XI in Dhaka on March 21 and 22 out of concerns international players may not be able to attend.

Two of England’s county teams, Surry and Worcestershire, have cancelled pre-season trips to Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

England players have banned selfies with fans and limited any engagement with the public during its tour to Sri Lanka.

The governing council of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is meeting on Saturday to discus the tournament, with two of the nine host state governments seeking advice about banning fans from the tournament or restricting games.

India has suspended all visas except “diplomatic, official, UN/International organisations, employment and project visas” until mid-April but this should not restrict players attending the tournament if it goes ahead.

The BCCI has issued instructions to have public toilets at matches during the visit by South Africa “stocked with hand wash liquids and sanitisers” while warning not to partake in selfies with fans or eat at restaurants “where hygiene standards are unknown”.

There were few concerns around the WT20 2020 Final run by the ICC and held before 86,000 people at the MCG on Sunday night but the situation is moving quickly.

Australian players Matthew Wade, David Warner and D’Arcy Short in their team uniforms … and with the yellow helmets they’ll wear while batting against New Zealand at the SCG tomorrow. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Cricket Australia’s medical staff is meeting every day and in constant contact as the players prepare for the first of the ODIs against New Zealand at the SCG tomorrow night.

The team flew home from South Africa and arrived in Australia earlier this week.

“Cricket Australia continues to monitor the coronavirus situation, particularly looking at advice provided by DFAT and other relevant government agencies, including the Australian Institute of Sport, which has outlined a co-ordinated approach for all Australian sports,” the organisation said in a statement provided to The Australian.

“In addition, we are consulting with an infectious diseases specialist, so our medical teams have the information they need.

“We know the destinations that our teams are travelling to in the next six months and will continue to monitor the situation in the regions they are scheduled to visit. We are adopting recommended sanitary practices to minimise the chance of exposure and providing education to our teams that are travelling.

“We are taking the issue seriously and will continue to monitor the situation.”

The last time Australia wore gold helmets in an ODI - this happened!

Mark Waugh's glorious 173 against the West Indies in 2001 was an Australian record at the time.@juniorwaugh349 | #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/0jPrtS31rd

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 11, 2020

Concerns about the virus have forced Collingwood to cancel an open training session for fans today while clubs placed protocols around players attending official events over the past few days.

The NRL has advised fans who feel ill not to attend the opening round which begins in Sydney tonight.

“Everyone continue to go to public events, everyone continue to do your normal activities, but if you’ve got a flu or a fever don’t go,” chief executive Todd Greenberg said.