Coronavirus newsfile: Barbados-based West Indies Test players return to training | ESPNcricinfo.com

HS 26/05/2020
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May 26

With West Indies’ Test tour of England “at some point this summer” starting to look not-too-improbable, some of the members of their Test squad turned up for training in small groups on Monday at Kensington Oval in Barbados.

Cricketers from the island – Jason Holder, Kraigg Brathwaite, Shai Hope, Shane Dowrich and Shamarh Brooks – as well as Barbados-born Raymon Reifer, who plays for Guyana, were at the session. Overseeing the goings-on was Barbadian Roddy Estwick, the assistant coach of the national team, as well as coaches from the Barbados Cricket Association, Cricket West Indies said, adding that “strict protocols of social distancing” and other guidelines laid down by the relevant authorities had been followed. Players in some of the other islands are expected to resume training later this week.

“Based on the information we have at the moment, everyone is getting increasingly confident that the tour will happen at some point this summer,” Johnny Grave, the CWI chief executive, said. “Our next Board of Directors Teleconference is on May 28 and if the tour has to take place as currently planned, by the start of June, we would need to have their approval and support by then in order to get the charter flight logistics in place and select the players.

“It’s great news that the players are now able to begin their cricket training, having been restricted to fitness and conditioning work at home for the past few weeks, as we begin to prepare for defending the Wisden Trophy. We are in the final stages of discussions with the ECB and we expect to hear from them shortly once their bio-secure plans have UK Government and ECB Board support.”

May 24

Taufeeq Umar tests positive for Covid-19

Former Pakistan opener Taufeeq Umar has tested positive for Covid-19. It appears to be a mild strain of the disease, so Umar will self-isolate at home. He was not showing symptoms at the time of testing, apart from having a mild headache.

Umar currently works as a junior national selector for the PCB. He played 44 Tests and 22 ODIs between 2001 and 2014.

Indian Cricketers’ Association to give financial aid to 36 former players

The Indian Cricketers’ Association (ICA) has shortlisted 36 former first-class cricketers – or, in some cases, their widows – to receive aid from a fund set up for their benefit.

ESPNcricinfo reported on May 1 that, Ashok Malhotra, the president of the recently formed players’ association, had reached out to former cricketers to help raise money for Covid-19-affected players. Malhotra’s appeal – on his Facebook page – was to try and take care of “those players, who are over 60 years of age and are not eligible for the [BCCI] pension, who don’t have the means to earn money and are struggling” because of the nationwide lockdown.

As of May 15, INR 57 lakh (USD 75,000 approx) had been raised through this appeal, PTI reported. “The ICA had received totally 52 applications (men and women) for financial assistance from retired first-class cricketers and widows. The five members of the Board of Directors of ICA approved financial assistance to 36 needy, retired cricketers/widows,” Malhotra said, according to PTI.

Now the money will be divided up among the 36, according to their needs, in three categories: players in Category A will get INR 1 lakh (USD 1300 approx) each, Category B players will get INR 80,000 (USD 1000 approx) and Category C players will get INR 60,000 (USD 800 approx).

May 20

BCB provides sizeable financial aid for other sportspersons

The BCB has paid BDT 50,10,000 (USD 59,000 approx) to athletes from 23 different sports in the country as part of its bid to support sportspersons affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Board president Nazmul Hassan, CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury and sports minister Zahid Ahsan Russell distributed over 500 cheques on May 20.

This contribution is for athletes in disciplines other than cricket, and includes BDT 10 lakh (USD 12,000 approx) for the Bangladesh national team’s footballers. This takes the BCB’s contribution to BDT 3.61 crore (USD 426,000 approx) in the last two months, which has included a one-time stipend for professional cricketers (male and female), food items for clubs as well as an Eid bonus for cricketers in lower grades.

The BCB has been one of the few cricket boards in the world that has weathered the initial financial difficulties spawned by the pandemic without cutting back. The board has also provided financial assistance to wheel-chair cricketers, groundstaff, umpires and scorers.

Fifth edition of TNPL postponed

The fifth edition of the Tamil Nadu Premier League, scheduled to played from June 10 to July 12, has been postponed due to the covid-19 pandemic. The decision was announced by the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association, which organises the TNPL, on Tuesday with no set date for a return.

However, ESPNcricinfo understands the TNCA is looking at hosting the tournament towards the end of July or in early August, based on getting clearance from the Tamil Nadu government. It is understood that the tournament is likely to be hosted outside of Chennai, which remains in the red zone and in lockdown. Part of the plan is also to assemble players, coaching staff and those involved in running of the tournament at limited avenues and isolate them, then carrying out testing before the tournament begins.

The TNPL has attained sizeable popularity and following, especially in Tamil Nadu, in its four seasons so far. Chepauk Super Gillies won the last edition of the tournament, beating Dindigul Dragons in the final.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka State Cricket Association has decided to “wait and observe” before starting full-fledged cricketing activities. The KSCA office bearers are working on a revised calendar to resume cricketing activities in the state, but said they “would like to discourage any personal interaction among cricketers, coaches and support staff” till May 31. All sections of their sport centres will also remain closed till that date, and the KSCA are working to come up with Standard Operating Procedure guidelines that will be strictly applicable to all cricketing activities under the organisation’s umbrella. The SOP will be arrived at after taking into account guidelines issued by the central government, the state government, the BCCI and the ICC.

May 18

Mortaza’s bracelet fetches big money at auction

A bracelet Mashrafe Mortaza has almost always worn on the cricket field for the last 18 years was sold for around $50,000 at an auction on Monday, and while Mortaza said the money would be spent for the welfare of the Covid-19-affected poor in Narail – he is a member of parliament from the district – the bracelet was returned to the former Bangladesh captain by the highest bidder afterwards.

The bidding started at BDT 500,000 ($5900 approx.), and the bracelet ended up fetching the highest amount among cricket memorabilia auctioned in Bangladesh in recent times – bats owned by Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim have been sold for around $23,500 and $20,000 respectively in other auctions.

“It is an honour, Mashrafe bhai. One can never return the respect you have brought to the country. So this is a small effort to give you the respect you truly deserve,” Mominul Islam, chairman of Bangladesh Leasing and Finance Companies Association, who had won the bid, said when returning the object to Mortaza.

New Zealand grass-roots clubs get funding from ANZ Bank

ANZ Bank New Zealand has set up a fund – the ANZ Good Sports Grants – worth NZD 1 million (USD 600,000 approx) to help grass-roots cricket and netball clubs around the country deal with the effects of the Covid-19 crisis. In a statement, New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White was thankful for this “significant shot in the arm for the community game”.

“NZC views community cricket as an absolute priority and this generosity from ANZ NZ will make a real difference to clubs and club cricketers throughout the country,” White said. “I can’t really overstate this point – the grassroots part of the game represents the life and blood of our sport and its health is critical to the future of cricket at all levels, including the Blackcaps and the White Ferns.

“We’re very grateful for the assistance. We know circumstances are tough for families and clubs and that this support will make a significant and immediate difference.”

May 15

Shahid Afridi buys Mushfiqur Rahim’s bat in charity auction

Shahid Afridi has bought a bat put up for auction by Mushfiqur Rahim, for USD 20,000. The proceeds will go towards Covid-19 relief efforts in Bangladesh.

This bat was the one used by Mushfiqur during his innings of 200 against Sri Lanka in the Galle Test of 2013.

The auction had run into trouble after fraud bidders had flooded the process last week.

According to Mushfiqur, who went live on Facebook to make the announcement, Afridi made his bid on May 13 after reading about the bat going up for auction. He also mentioned that Tamim Iqbal played a role in Afridi buying the bat for charity.

“Shahid Afridi bought my bat on behalf of his foundation,” Mushfiqur said. “I feel privileged and honoured that someone like him has joined our great cause. We had to suspend the auction due to some fraud bidders, which was unexpected. Shahid bhai personally contacted me after seeing the news (of my bat put on auction). He sent an offer letter on May 13 that he was interested to buy for USD 20,000, which is almost BDT 16.8 lakh. I want to thank everyone concerned, which includes my very good friend Tamim Iqbal. He helped me a lot in this regard.”

Most of the proceeds from Mushfiqur’s bat will go to the NGO BRAC for cash disbursement among the poor, while Mushfiqur will donate the rest to a charity of his choice.

A spokesperson of BRAC told the Dhaka-based newspaper New Age that the proceeds from this venture will go to a fund through which the organisation is disbursing Tk 1,500 cash incentives per family in this pandemic situation.

South African cricketers step up to assist country’s worst-hit communities

South Africa’s professional cricketers, through SACA, the players’ association, are collectively donating R300,000 ($16,290 approx.) to the charity Gift of the Givers to assist with delivering food parcels to those in need during the Covid-19 crisis. The charity will enhance that donation by R150,000 ($ 8145) and will use the funds to feed children in some of the country’s hardest-hit communities.

In addition to that, several players including Faf du Plessis, Vernon Philander, Temba Bavuma and Beuran Hendricks are leading their own relief efforts aimed at assisting South Africa’s poor.

The country is 50 days into a nationwide lockdown aimed to slow the spread of the virus, which has claimed 238 lives and hundreds of thousands of livelihoods. South Africa’s treasury predicts job losses of seven million to add to an unemployment rate of 27%, which will leave many without an income for several months.

“As professional cricketers, we enjoy the support of all South Africans, and this is a time when we need to show our support for them,” Omphile Ramela, SACA president said.

SACA is also working with CSA to establish a fund to support the wider cricket community. “We all look forward to the day when we can hear the crack of leather on willow again – but for now, we need to step up and play our part in fighting this pandemic, and the devastating impact it is having on many South Africans,” Andrew Breetzke, SACA CEO said.

May 11

Kevin Pietersen: Crowd or no crowd, players must play

Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen feels cricketers will have to deal with playing in empty stadiums until there is a vaccine for Covid-19.

“Fans, the public, need a morale boost,” he was quoted as saying by Reuters. “Their morale at the moment is so negative, so down in the dumps. Sport is so uplifting and so positive for so many people. New sport will have to be played behind closed doors until we find a vaccination for coronavirus.

“Sportsmen have got to deal with it. So what if the crowds are not there? The crowds may not be there in person but the broadcasting numbers will be massive. Some sportsmen are in the prime of their life. Why would they not want to be playing?”

May 9

BCCI says player dues will be paid soon

BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal was quoted as saying by the Indian Express that the process of disbursing payments to domestic cricketers, staff, and associations has begun. Citing the lockdown for delays, Dhumal said players should expect their dues to be paid over the next few days.

“The process has started. We have released payments to players, officials and state associations. Because of the lockdown, things are slow. Our staff verifies documents of 150 players and officials daily, after which we send out instructions to release the payments. There could be a few cases where some might have not got match fees, including old dues like gross revenue share, but they will be getting it soon. If the lockdown hadn’t happened, things could have been done faster. Those who haven’t received payments will be getting it in the coming days,” Dhumal said.

May 5

Edgbaston turns into distribution centre

Warwickshire have offered their Edgbaston ground as a base for a charity providing support for foodbanks and community groups.

Edgbaston is already being used by the Department of Health and Social Care as a Covid-19 drive-through test centre. Now the club has agreed a partnership with a local charity, Thrive Together Birmingham, to use the ground as a food sorting and distribution centre.

As a result, non-perishable food will be stored at the ground, where volunteers will sort, repackage and distribute items to organisations in need.

The testing centre (in the ground’s carpark) and food storage area (within the ground’s exhibition hall) will be kept well apart. No food donations can be made on-site at Edgbaston, with the nearby St. Mary and Saint Ambrose Church, on Raglan Road, acting as a collection centre between 11am and 3.30pm every Friday.

“Since we moved into the forced stadium closure, club staff have been committed to doing all that we can to make a difference in our local community by providing free use of our stadium and grounds, fundraising for important causes, and through volunteering,” Ravi Masih, Head of Community Engagement at Warwickshire CCC and Lead of the Edgbaston Foundation, said.

“We’re thrilled that we can build on our community response during this period by working with such a fantastic charity, in Thrive Together Birmingham, to support those in need.”

“We are delighted that the Edgbaston Foundation have partnered with Thrive Together Birmingham to collect much needed food to help the Brum Together coalition of organisations providing emergency food to people who are most impacted by Covid-19,” Fred Rattley CEO of Thrive Together Birmingham, said.

May 4

Du Plessis raises money to feed the hungry

The plight of South Africa’s hungry, during the coronavirus pandemic , has attracted Faf du Plessis and his wife Imari’s generosity. The couple have so far raised R42,000 (US$2250) to purchase food parcels for those in need.

“I’ve felt a lot of gratitude for what I have and with that has come a huge movement in my heart regarding people who don’t have it,” du Plesis said. “I have always looked at helping people as a lot of us do.

“I find you sit on the outside and you feel sorry but you never really get stuck in and really get involved. I had a huge urgency to get involved and it started with just lifting and glorifying people who were doing amazing things out in the communities and through that it grew within myself and Imari’s hearts to help on a personal level.”

Du Plessis’s hands-on work began when he was contacted on social media to assist in raising funds to feed 174 families for a month. He was put out a call for those willing to contribute to a total of R17,000 (US$910). That money and a surplus of R25000 (US$1340) were secured within a day and a half, allowing them to feed the families in need. The remaining money was used for a charity specifically aimed at feeding children.

“It breaks my heart to see little kids standing in line all across fields waiting to get food,” du Plessis said. “I think that’s maybe the movement inside me because I am a father myself now and I will do absolutely everything for my daughter. That made me want to help them. I want to make sure all the children out there are fed.”

PCB announces financial aid for players, officials and ground staff

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced one-time payments to help cricketers, match officials, scorers and ground staff in the wake of the Covid-19 lockdown. The aid comes with the following eligibility criteria:

  • First-class cricketers who featured in the 2018-19 season and have played at least 15 first-class matches in the past five seasons from 2014-15 to 2018-19

  • Match officials and scorers who have officiated in PCB-organised events over the past two seasons

  • Ground staff that were employed by the now-defunct regional/district cricket associations before January 1, 2013 (should have approximately eight years of service)

The eligible first-class cricketers will be paid PKR 25,000 (USD 157 approx.), the match officials PKR 15,000 (USD 94 approx.), and scorers and ground staff PKR 10,000 (USD 63 approx.) each.

May 1

Ashok Malhotra-led ICA raises Rs 38 lakh to help struggling cricketers

Around a week ago, Ashok Malhotra, the president of the recently formed Indian Cricketers’ Association (ICA), had reached out to former cricketers to help raise money for Covid-19-affected cricketers, and within days, Rs 38 lakh [$50,000 approx.] has reportedly reached the ICA, with former internationals Rajinder Singh Ghai and Ashok Patel named by Malhotra as having made significant contributions.

Malhotra’s appeal – on his Facebook page – was to try and take care of “those players, who are over 60 years of age and are not eligible for the [BCCI] pension, who don’t have the means to earn money and are struggling” because of the nationwide lockdown in India. The initial aim was to raise around Rs 30 lakh [$40,000 approx.], add some money from the ICA itself, and help “25-30 cricketers”.

Now, Malhotra told ESPNcricinfo, “the ICA has put in Rs 10 lakh, and we have received another Rs 28 lakh from former cricketers, so we are in a position to help more players than we had originally planned”.

There was at least one major corporate entity as well as some “legendary cricketers”, who had contributed large sums but wished to remain anonymous, the former India batsman said, adding that the revised target has been set at Rs 50 lakh, with May 15 as the deadline, after which “we will shortlist the players and start helping them”.

April 28

Azhar Ali puts two of his ‘closest belongings’ up for auction

Pakistan Test captain Azhar Ali has put the bat he had used during his unbeaten 302 against West Indies during the 2016 series in the UAE and his jersey from Pakistan’s title-winning 2017 Champions Trophy campaign up for auction. The proceeds will go towards Covid-19 relief work in Pakistan.

“I put 2 of my closest belongings on auction with base price of 1 million PKR each to support people suffering due to ongoing crisis. Auction starts now & will close on 11:59PM 05May20,” Ali, the first international cricketer to hit a triple-century in day-night Tests, wrote on Twitter.

“The shirt is from 2017 Champions Trophy which we won, it has the signature of all the players which were present in the squad,” Ali said in a video posted on Twitter. “Both these things are close to my heart but if it can be used in the difficult times for the benefit of the people I will more than happy.”

Tamim Iqbal comes to the aid of disadvantaged sportspersons

Tamim Iqbal has reached out to help 91 sportspersons who have been hit financially due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Iqbal’s charity has had a wide-ranging impact in Bangladesh. Through that, he has come to the support of cyclists, swimmers, gymnasts, footballers, cricketers, kabaddi, wushu, and hockey players, as well as coaches.

Earlier this month, Iqbal helped young sprinter and part-time footballer Samiul Islam, whose family was struggling for food after he lost his job at the Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation recently.

Iqbal was a key player in the coordinating of donations from Bangladesh’s leading cricketers, who pooled in half of their monthly salaries to the Prime Minister’s fund. Last week, Iqbal contacted several former athletes, cricketers and journalists to track down disadvantaged sportspersons across the country.

“I have been in sports for a long time but I have never seen a fellow sportsman help out athletes from so many disciplines at once,” Mahfuza Khatun Shila, a well-known Bangladeshi swimmer, said.

“It wasn’t that he was trying to help well-known cases, but he tried to help anyone who has fallen on hard times due to this current situation. Tamim bhai came to the rescue of many families.”

All sporting activity in Bangladesh has been postponed indefinitely since mid-March, with several hundred athletes waiting for the next competition to commence.

April 27

Sri Lanka Cricket will release LKR 200,000 (approx USD 1040) to member clubs that maintain cricket grounds, in order to support the upkeep of facilities during the ongoing Covid19 curfew. SLC will also pay each district cricket association LKR 150,000 (USD 780) to assist with monthly costs. In addition, SLC will make an advance payment of LKR 780,000 (USD 4050) to the Umpires Association as well.

Sri Lanka’s domestic first-class competition was interrupted by the pandemic, and now faces the possibility of not being completed this year. Ordinarily, SLC makes payments to ground-owning clubs during the course of the competition, and also pays match fees in district-level competitions. However, as those payments have not been made as they normally would, these minor grants aim to help tide the smaller cricket bodies over.

April 21

Rahul puts cricketing gear up for auction

KL Rahul has joined the list of cricketers who have chipped in to raise funds amid the Covid-19 pandemic, setting up an auction of a pair of his batting gloves and pads, a helmet, a bat he used at last year’s World Cup, and a jersey from each of the three formats he has represented India in. The proceeds from the auction will go to a charity that works with underprivileged children.

Rahul announced the initiative on his birthday on Saturday via the Bharat Army, the India supporters’ group, saying that he couldn’t have picked a better day for it. “Go on check out the auction and show some love for me and the children and let’s stay strong together during this difficult time and all of us will come out of this stronger,” Rahul said in video message.

April 19

Rahim puts up Test double-hundred bat for auction

Bangladesh batsman Mushfiqur Rahim has decided to put up his bat for auction, the proceeds from which will go towards Covid-19 relief efforts. The bat is the one with which he made his first Test double-hundred against Sri Lanka in Galle in 2013.

“I am putting up the bat with which I made a double hundred for auction,” Mushfiqur told the Dhaka-based Bengali daily Prothom Alo. “It will be put up online, so let’s see how we can go about it. I urge everyone with the ability to push up the price of the bat since the proceeds will be spent entirely for the poor people.”

Mushfiqur’s announcement comes a few days after Shakib Al Hasan urged his teammates to auction off their bats, jerseys and other equipment to provide for the poor during this time.

England’s World Cup winning cricketer Jos Buttler has already raised GBP 65,100 by auctioning off his World Cup final jersey.

April 11

Shakib Al Hasan reunites with family after self-isolation

Shakib Al Hasan has said that he was in self-quarantine for two weeks in a Wisconsin hotel after having travelled from Dhaka amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Shakib, who is serving a one-year ban for failing to report bookie approaches, is now back home with his pregnant wife in USA. She is expected to give birth to their second child next month.

“It was a tough period,” Shakib told the Dhaka-based Prothom Alo in his first interview since last October. “It had no relation to normal life. It was like adopting to a different condition, as we say in cricket. Since I had come on a flight from Bangladesh, I didn’t want my family to be at risk.

“After I had returned home, I went out just once to buy some stuff. I was wearing gloves and mask. We are constantly washing hands and using sanitizers. Whenever someone comes home, we keep their clothes separate or wash it.”

Shakib, who will be eligible to return to competitive cricket in October later this year, expected Bangladesh’s cricketers to work on their fitness during this downtime.

“I am sure everyone is doing work at home,” he said. Cricketers know what they have do in this situation, especially about their fitness. I know it can be hard to focus but they have to do something. They can do what everyone else does at home, for half-an-hour to one hour. There’s not much one can do.”

April 8

Akhtar proposes India-Pakistan series to raise funds

Shoaib Akhtar has proposed a three-match ODI or T20I series between India and Pakistan to raise funds to fight against COVID-19 pandemic.

In a video on his YouTube channel, Akhtar said the games could be behind closed doors. “Players from both sides can be tested beforehand and the two sides can play a three-ODI or three-T20I series, with no crowds,” he said. “The matches can be only on TV and since everyone is at home these days with nothing much to do, these may prove to be the most viewed games in the history of the sport.

“I am sure such games will generate great funds. If Virat [Kohli] scores a hundred, Pakistan fans will be happy, if Babar Azam scores a hundred, Indian fans will be happy. For the first time, even if a team loses, it will be a winner.”

Australian Cricketers’ Association launches emergency fund

The Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) has launched an emergency fund to help former players and those relying on a second income who are suffering financial hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Emergency Assistance Fund provides grants or loans of up to A$2000 from a pot of A$250,000 to past players and domestic female cricketers to help bridge the gap before government support comes through.

“Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve spoken to several members who are doing it tough, and we’ve been trying to help where we can,” Kelly Applebee, the ACA’s general manager member programs and relations, said.

“We’ve worked hard over that time to bring together a framework around the support we can provide, as well as some significant resources, and we encourage those members who have felt the impact of the coronavirus and who are still waiting on government support, to get in touch with us as we may be able to help.”

April 5

BCB says COVID-19 hasn’t affected their revenue-earning tournaments

BCB’s finances will not suffer heavily despite the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the board’s financial committee chairman Ismail Haider Mallick. Bangladesh’s postponed tours of Pakistan and Ireland will not have any financial repercussions on the board, Mallick said, adding that they were hoping to earn back any losses through the Asia Cup, the T20 World Cup and the 2020-21 BPL.

Mallick pointed out that the BCB hadn’t expected huge revenues from home Test series against the likes of Australia and New Zealand, both of whom are scheduled to tour Bangladesh between June and August. He also said that the BCB are doing as well as some of the wealthier boards.

“Coronavirus didn’t affect any of our revenue earning tournaments,” Mallick told the Dhaka-based Prothom Alo. “The tours to Pakistan and Ireland were postponed, but those were to be paid by their boards. We will be okay if the ICC tournament and the Asia Cup go ahead.

“Altogether, the BCB may incur a loss of 20 to 25 per cent in this fiscal year. It will get bigger only if the situation worsens. We would have earned a little from the Australia series. But if the World T20 and Asia Cup goes ahead and we can hold the BPL next season, we can take care of all our losses. BCB is in sound financial health, among the top five in the world after India, Australia, England and New Zealand. We also have certain reserved funds.”

Sri Lanka players given ‘individual fitness plans’

Sri Lanka coach Mickey Arthur has said that their cricketers have been given “individual fitness plans” to keep them in shape even as sports across the world have been brought to a standstill by the coronavirus pandemic.

“These plans are tailored to the facilities that each player has at his disposal at home to maintain the expected fitness levels,” Arthur said. “Our trainers Dishan Foneska and Paul Khoury have been very proactive in working out the programs with each individual. I have been sending out exercises to each player as well based on the player reflecting and then sharing with me strengths and weaknesses of their games. These reflections are mental, physical and technical. This allows us as coaches to then add this to the player plans that we have constructed for each player.

“The monitoring process is a very simple one and it is just me communicating with each player on an individual basis.”

April 3

Mumbai umpires offer support to local scorers, match officials

In Mumbai, a group of former umpires have come together to financially support local match officials and scorers in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic that has brought all sport to a halt. Led by former Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) managing committee member and ex-BCCI umpire Ganesh Iyer, the group has so far raised INR 2.5 lakh ($ 3300 approx.).

“We umpires have formed a group ‘Lending a Hand’ to help umpires and scorers whose livelihood depends on cricket,” Iyer told PTI on Thursday. “We appealed to the members to contribute voluntarily. We have also identified those scorers and umpires, whose livelihood is dependent on local matches.

“By Friday, 47 umpires and 15 scorers – a total 62 persons – would have been given the first amount of Rs 3000 each, the process of payment began yesterday through credits directly into their bank accounts and the next installments (would be given) in next 7-10 days.”

According to MCA tournament coordinator Abhay Hadap, a scorer and an umpire gets INR 1,500 and 2,000 per day per match respectively. Given the MCA suspended all matches from March 14 to April 14 due to the Covid-19 outbreak and the subsequent lockdown, the income of the match officials has copped a severe blow.

“There were at least 25 incomplete tournaments this season as the matches go on till May end. For example, remaining matches of the Corporation Shield were still to be played,” Hadap said. “When the knockouts are played there are at least 120 matches. Also there were 10-15 private tournaments that were yet to be completed. So, yes the losses for umpires and scorers are huge.”

New Zealand women’s tour of Sri Lanka postponed, men’s tours ‘unlikely’

New Zealand Cricket CEO David White has said that while the national women’s tour of Sri Lanka, originally set to begin later this month, has been postponed, the men’s tour of Scotland, Ireland, the Netherlands and the West Indies, slated through June-July earlier, is “unlikely” to take place.

“Clearly, this situation is extremely disappointing for everyone involved in sport but, given the bigger picture, and the terrible toll COVID-19 is taking worldwide, we need to look after not only our own people but the greater community good,” White said in a video press conference.

“Cricket in New Zealand has been fortunate in that we were very much at the end of our home summer programme when this crisis struck. However, with the lockdown now in full force, we’re mindful of the difficulties facing our cricket community. Our current focus is very much on ensuring the future sustainability of cricket in New Zealand.”

April 2 South Africa men complete 14-day self-isolation but remain in lockdown for next two weeks

The South Africa men’s squad, which returned from the incomplete tour of India on March 18, has completed a 14-day period of self-isolation but, along with the rest of the country, will remain in lockdown for the next two weeks.

“All the players were symptom-free and those who opted to perform the tests returned negative results,” Dr Shuaib Manjra, CSA’s chief medical officer, said.

CSA’s focus is now on maintaining the players’ fitness regime, a challenge during the nationwide stay-at-home. South Africa is on day seven of a 21-day nationwide lockdown, which prohibits leaving home except to buy food or medicine and does not allow for any outdoor exercise. While that provides time for players to work through any lingering injuries, it is also important that they maintain their fitness levels, and fitness trainer Tumi Masekela has sent them all training programmes.

“We’ve got time now to work with players in terms of addressing the small niggles that they may have. They have got time to rest and also to do the strength work. But the one big thing is the running volume, the aerobic capacity base, which I am going to try and build up in the next two weeks, so that means lot of running, or a lot of cardio work, cycling or swimming,” Masekela said.

Most of the players have access to home gyms and would be able to continue their routines. But what about regular folk, like us, who don’t have a treadmill at home? “Just try and do 20 minutes of exercise. Whether it be 100 push-ups in 20 minutes, burpees, lunges squats, running up and down the stairs or using skipping rope, please do that,” Masekela said. “Use this time to release endorphins, which is your natural happy pill, which is something everybody could do with.”

April 1

Harbhajan and Yuvraj lend their support to Afridi’s charity

Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj Singh lent their support to Shahid Afridi‘s charity foundation that is raising money to fight the coronavirus pandemic in Pakistan.

The Shahid Afridi Foundation has been distributing food and sanitation packs among the poor to help them tide over the crisis. One pack consists of essential food items such as flour, rice, lentils alongwith sugar, salt, cooking oil and soap. The foundation says the amounts distributed are aimed at letting a family of five sustain itself for 15 days. To continue distributing these, the foundation is raising money through donations, which Yuvraj and Harbhajan urged the public at large to take part in.

“All of humanity should be united at this time, and be together while helping each other,” Harbhajan said in a video posted on his Twitter page. “I would like to congratulate Shahid Afridi’s Foundation, who have done really good work to keep humanity alive.

“I would like to tell you all to stay at home, stay safe, stay with your families. Listen to what your governments are telling you and don’t venture out of your house. Hopefully, together we will eradicate coronavirus from the world.”

Yuvraj echoed Harbhajan’s words and said he had the same message to give to everyone. “At this time, everyone has to work together and stay together,” he said, also posting a video on his Twitter page. “People have faced a lot of difficulties, and lots of poor people aren’t getting food to eat. As Harbhajan said, the SAF foundation in Pakistan, which is Shahid Afridi’s foundation, is doing a lot of good work and helping a lot of poor people. So please donate.”

Afridi thanked both Indian cricketers, saying “this bond we have shows love and peace transgresses borders when it comes to humanity especially.”

March 30

BCB announces one-time monetary support to women cricketers

The BCB will pay Bangladesh’s women cricketers BDT 20,000 (US $250) each, similar to the one-time payment given to a section of the country’s men cricketers earlier in the week. Those who appeared in the 2018-19 Women’s National Cricket League as well as a recent training camp will receive this amount.

BCB president Nazmul Hassan said the payment will help out cricketers stuck at home without any competitive cricket or training due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

“Just like their male counterparts, the majority of women cricketers also look towards domestic events for an earning,” Hassan said. “Besides, we had training camps scheduled for women players which have been hampered by the prevailing COVID-19 situation. The cricketers have been forced to pass a period of non-activity and they need our support.”

The BCB postponed all its activities on March 16, and is unlikely to renew tournaments and training camps until the situation eases. Hassan said the board would take a call in April about the men’s Dhaka Premier League tournament. “We are going to maintain the highest level of caution,” he said. “We don’t know where, when or how it will end. I think after April there may be a chance to talk but before that I don’t think that there is an opportunity to talk about sports.”

Lord’s offers facilities to NHS staff

Lord’s is to put its prime positioning in central London to good use by offering up its unused facilities to NHS staff and the city’s nearby hospitals.

MCC has provided 75 parking space at Lord’s for staff at Wellington Hospital, University College Hospital, and the Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth. The club is also providing storage areas for the Wellington Hospital, which is situated on the northern side of the ground and has been known to use the Nursery Ground as an emergency landing area for its Air Ambulance helicopters.

In addition, the club has provided food to City Harvest London, an organisation that seeks to redistribute fresh surplus food to those in need

“We are continuing to work closely with our local community, hospitals and organisations to offer support as best we can during this period,” said the club in a statement.

March 28

BCCI to contribute INR 51 crore to fight coronavirus pandemic

The BCCI along with its affiliated state associations will contribute INR 51 crore (USD 6.8 million approx.) towards the Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM-CARES) fund to help India fight the coronavirus pandemic.

“The outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) is first and foremost a public health emergency and the BCCI has a firm resolve that the nation gets all possible help to cope with the testing times,” a BCCI release said on Saturday.

BCB announces one-time payment for non-contracted DPL players

Non-contracted players from this season’s Dhaka Premier League will get BDT 30,000 (US $375 approx.) from the Bangladesh Cricket Board as part-compensation for the tournament being postponed till April 14. The players who are eligible for this one-time payment are those not in the central contract, first-class contract or the newly-formed Under-21 group.

The 2019-20 Dhaka Premier League was postponed on March 19 after just one completed round of matches in compliance with the directive from the Ministry of Youth & Sports, and measures taken by the Government to fight the COVID-19 outbreak.

BCB president Nazmul Hassan made the announcement on Saturday evening, after several out of contract cricketers voiced their concerns about their livelihood.

“With the tournament looking at an indefinite period of shut down, cricketers who are not part of the BCB’s contracts are likely to face financial hardship, as they may have only received partial payment from their respective Premier League Clubs. This assistance is for that section of the players,” said Hassan.

The Bangladesh government went into shutdown from March 25 to April 4, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Knight signs up for NHS volunteer scheme

England captain Heather Knight has signed up to be a National Health Service (NHS) volunteer during the coronavirus outbreak.

Knight only returned from Australia, where she led England to the semi-finals of the Women’s T20 World Cup, 10 days ago and is now living under the UK’s lockdown rules with her boyfriend in Bristol.

She revealed in her BBC column that she had volunteered for the scheme that will see people support the health service by delivering food and medicine, transporting patients to appointments and making calls to those in isolation.

“I signed up to the NHS’s volunteer scheme as I have a lot of free time on my hands and I want to help as much as I can,” Knight said. “My brother and his partner are doctors, and I have a few friends who work in the NHS, so I know how hard they are working and how difficult it is for everyone.”

March 27

ICC working on contingency planning

The ICC has said that it is carrying out “contingency planning” to “adapt” to the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) pandemic that has forced a majority of the world into lockdown. However, ESPNcricinfo understands no definite plans were discussed at the meeting which took place on Friday via conference call.

In a media release issued later, the ICC said that its management would continue to keep the member countries updated on the way forward for various ICC events that have been affected due to the pandemic: the ongoing World Test Championship, the World Cup ODI Super League which is scheduled to begin from May and the men’s T20 World Cup, which is scheduled for October-November in Australia.

“We continue to undertake a comprehensive business continuity and contingency planning exercise which will allow us to adapt to the rapidly evolving world in which we find ourselves,” the ICC’s press release said. “The ICC management will continue our contingency planning around ICC events and will also work with Members to explore all options available to us based on a range of scenarios connected to the pandemic.”

As reported on Thursday, the ICC Board along with the Chief Executives Committee are scheduled for quarterly meetings in May to discuss a range of back-up plans based on how the pandemic continues to develop.

Friday’s conference call also was the first time former India captain Sourav Ganguly attended the ICC Board meeting as representative of the BCCI of which he is the president.

Irish season delayed until May 28

Cricket Ireland have confirmed the postponement of their home season until May 28, in line with the announcement made by the ECB last week.

“The postponement of the start of the season will allow us to observe government directives and public health protocols, and ensure the welfare and safety of our volunteers, players, staff, coaches, and families within the cricket community, and we will take all necessary actions to do our part in limiting the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19),” read a statement.

The board is developing scenarios for what the domestic season might look like once operations can be resumed.

Ireland’s series against Bangladesh in May has already been postponed, while New Zealand’s tour – scheduled to begin on June 19 – appears to be in doubt. Further down the line, Pakistan are due to play two T20Is at Malahide in July, though the venue’s head groundsman Phil Frost has been temporarily repatriated to England and the ground is shut.

“While we note that Malahide Cricket Club is ‘making alternative arrangements to ensure upkeep of the grounds’ while closed, we shall continue to monitor the state of readiness of the ground to host international cricket once restrictions are lifted, and will liaise with the club accordingly in the coming weeks,” said Warren Deutrom, Cricket Ireland’s chief executive.

March 26

Centrally contracted players contribute 5 million to fight coronavirus in Pakistan

PCB’s centrally contracted players will collectively contribute PKR 5 million to the government’s emergency fund to fight against the COVID-19 outbreak in Pakistan. In addition to the players’ contribution, PCB’s senior staff will also add their bit, with those who are at senior manager ranks donating one day’s salary and those who are at the rank of general managers and above donating two days’ salary. In addition to that the PCB, as an institution, will match the contribution of its staff to the government fund.

Pakistan is presently in a semi lock down state with the country having over 1,100 confirmed coronavirus cases. The number of cases surged rapidly in the past seven days – as has been the pattern with the global pandemic in other countries – as Pakistan saw nine deaths and 21 recoveries.

All the Pakistan players are in self-isolation at home while the overseas coaching staff have been released so that the can return home. Bowling coach Waqar Younis, who is based in Sydney, is presently quarantined by the government in Australia after returning from Pakistan upon completing his commentary stint in the PSL.

“The Pakistan Cricket Board has always stood with the people of Pakistan in desperate times,” said PCB chairman Ehsan Mani. “This is one of the gravest, most challenging and unprecedented times, which our local and federal governments and health workers are having to face with. While we continue to pray for the well-being and success of our health workers so that normality returns to our society, we at the PCB are making a small contribution which will support the government in its endeavours against the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The PCB had also offered the use of their high performance centre in Karachi to paramedics working at the Expo Centre, which has become a makeshift hospital.

ICC postpones qualifying events for Associates

The ICC has announced that all its pathway qualification events for Associate members as part of the 2021 T20 World Cup and 2023 Men’s World Cup have been postponed until the end of June, pending a reevaluation of the status of the coronavirus pandemic at that time. This includes all regional qualification events for the 2021 T20 World Cup Qualifiers as well as multiple ODI and List A series as part of the 2019-2022 Men’s World Cup League Two and Challenge League for Associates.

The ICC had previously announced earlier this month that the League Two ODI tri-series scheduled for April 1-8 in Florida between USA, UAE and Scotland had been postponed. Thursday’s announcement confirms the postponement of an ODI tri-series in Namibia that included Nepal and Scotland from April 20-27 as well as an ODI tri-series in Papua New Guinea including Nepal and UAE that was scheduled for June 9-16. As for T20 World Cup regional qualification, six events that were due to be held between April and June – spread between Kuwait, South Africa, Spain, Belgium, Malaysia and Finland – have also been postponed. The ICC stated that nine other pathway events scheduled for the second half of the year – three ODI tri-series in League Two, two Challenge League tournaments, and four T20 World Cup regional qualification tournaments – are being continually monitored with relevant stakeholders.

The 2021 Women’s World Cup Qualifier, which is scheduled to be held from July 3 to 19 in Sri Lanka, is also under monitoring.

Lauren Winfield, Amy Jones stuck in Australia

England women cricketers Lauren Winfield and Amy Jones are both stuck in Australia with worldwide travel restrictions in force due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Winfield was in Hamilton Island on the Great Barrier Reef, celebrating her honeymoon after her marriage to long-term partner Courtney Hill. Jones was in Perth. Both have found themselves stranded in Australia, and are currently unable to return home with borders closing.

“I was supposed to fly home on Friday,” Winfield told The Independent. “But my flight has been cancelled. Everything through Dubai, Emirates, has been cancelled for the next two weeks. They are reassessing in two weeks’ time. But rumours are it could be up to two to three months. At the minute I have a flight on the 8th (April), but I feel like that’s just going to come around and it’ll get pushed back and back.”

Iain O’Brien launches fundraising appeal

Iain O’Brien, the former New Zealand fast bowler, has launched a funding page in a bid to return to his family.

O’Brien, who now lives with his wife and two daughters near Matlock in England, was visiting his parents in New Zealand when the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) pandemic struck.

While he has already booked three flights home – some of them eye-wateringly expensive – the airlines subsequently cancelled. The delay in refunding the cost of such bookings has eaten deep into O’Brien’s resources.

Bangladesh cricketers face uncertain future

Many professional cricketers in Bangladesh are worried about losing their entire income for the season, with the uncertainty around the remainder of the Dhaka Premier League continuing. Around 60 players who play in the league, but are not part of the BCB list of contracts – central or first-class – face a tricky next many days because of the COVID-19 pandemic that has stopped cricket around the world.

March 25

Bangladesh cricketers pool money to help combat crisis

Bangladesh’s premier cricketers have contributed 50% of their monthly salaries to a fund that has been put in place to deal with the COVID-19 situation in the country. All the centrally contracted players and others who played against Zimbabwe this month have pooled in BDT 26 lakh (US$ 32,500 approx.) for the cause.

The country is in lockdown following the death of four people and reports of 44 other being infected. The government has directed around 15,000 people around to country to go into self-isolation, and to ensure that happens, the army has been deployed.

Cricketers have also gone into self-isolation, and the likes of Mashrafe Mortaza, Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan have delivered messages on social media for people to stay at home.

Space at Eden Gardens made available as a medical facility

The indoor training facility and the players’ dormitory at Eden Gardens have been made available to the West Bengal state government as a temporary medical facility to deal with the COVID-19 situation, Sourav Ganguly has said.

“If government asks us, we will certainly hand over the facility. Anything that is need of the hour, we will do it. There is absolutely no problem,” BCCI president Ganguly, who was the president of the Cricket Association of Bengal earlier, was quoted as saying by PTI.

Similarly, the Cricket Association of Pondicherry has offered the dormitory at its Tutipet campus as an isolation facility for COVID-19 patients.

“We stopped cricketing activities due to outbreak of coronavirus. We can offer these facilities to house up to 30 infected patients if need be with necessary medical tie-up through Laxmi Medical College,” a letter from the association to the governor of the union territory of Puducherry said.

ECB offers customised home-training packages to premier cricketers

With no cricket likely in the immediate future, the ECB has offered customised home-training packages to Joe Root and Heather Knight’s teams to help them stay in shape. The packages include equipment such as ropes, resistance bands, a medicine ball and a kettle ball.

“I’m an active person anyway, with my young son keeping me busy, but having a structured plan will help me improve in certain areas,” Root was quoted as saying by AFP. “While it has been good to get some downtime after our return from Sri Lanka, keeping my fitness up is really important so I can be at the top of my game when we get back on the field.”

Knight said it was not ideal but one had to find ways to stay in shape.

“We’ll all just be doing what we can to maintain our levels and, hopefully, be as ready as we can when we get back playing, whenever that comes,” Knight said. “It’s obviously not ideal, but it’s a great way of trying to stay in shape and keep ticking over.”

CWI extends suspension of all domestic cricket

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has called off all its domestic tournaments this season because of the COVID-19 pandemic, after earlier suspending all cricket until mid-April. The board, following a teleconference of the board of directors on Tuesday afternoon, cancelled the last two rounds of matches of its first-class competition and announced Barbados as the winners.

Barbados were leading the points table of the four-day competition with a tally of 134.8, followed by Trinidad and Tobago (94.6), Guyana (91.8), Jamaica (91.8), Windward Islands (78) and Leeward Islands (52.8).

In a statement, the board said it was acting on the guidelines of its medical advisory committee. The other tournaments and camps to be immediately affected were the Women’s Super50 Cup (postponed to later this year), Regional Under-19s Women’s T20 Championship (postponed to later this year), Regional Under-15s Boys Championship (cancelled for 2020), West Indies Under-15s Tour to England in the summer (cancelled for 2020), high performance and international preparation training camps (cancelled until at least May 31, 2020).

“All around the sporting world we are faced with the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Johnny Grave, CEO of CWI said. “Cricket, cricketers and all our stakeholders involved in the game have been affected at various levels and we must continue to work to together and act responsibly in containing the spread of the virus.

“Ten days ago, we suspended our tournaments and camps for 30 days and now we have extended that suspension until the end of May as well as reluctantly cancelled some tournaments and tours in their entirety. We will continue to monitor and assess the situation and make further decisions and announcements in due course.”

Grave also said that CWI has put systems in place to make sure its staff follow the necessary protocols as outlined by its medical advisory committee and the World Health Organisation. The board also reinforced the importance for all territorial boards and local cricket associations to follow the advice of their respective ministries of health.

March 24

Kent have become the first county to take steps to offset the financial implications of the delayed English season by announcing that their executive directors have voluntarily accepted a short-term pay cut of 20%.

With the UK entering a phase of enforced lockdown in an attempt to contain the coronavirus outbreak, and little prospect of any cricket taking place before June at the earliest, counties have begun to assess their day-to-day running. Kent have assembled a COVID-19 taskforce and are in talks with the local council to discuss terms of a loan repayment, among other measures.

The club’s executive directors – including chief executive Simon Storey and director of cricket Paul Downton – offered to take a pay cut in order to send a positive message. “We feel these are exceptional circumstances,” Storey told ESPNcricinfo. “We will find a way through this for Kent.”

With many counties leading a precarious financial existence, there have been warnings that a drastically reduced 2020 season could threaten the viability of some. However, the question of players also taking a cut in pay is a step that would likely need to be agreed with the Professional Cricketers’ Association and the ECB.

March 23

PCB turns Karachi training facility into lodging area for paramedics

The Pakistan Cricket Board has offered the use of their high performance centre in Karachi to paramedics working at the Expo Centre which has become a makeshift hospital.

PCB Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer said: “All the paramedic staff are our heroes as in these challenging and difficult times, they are risking their lives to save the lives and well-being of many affected by COVID-19.

“As a small token of our appreciation and acknowledgement to these unsung heroes and as part of our duty of care, the PCB is pleased to offer its state-of-the-art Hanif Mohammad High Performance Centre as a temporary lodging and boarding for the paramedic staff working at Expo Centre hospital so that they can serve those suffering from COVID-19 more effectively and efficiently.”

No discussion about moving CPL 2020

The global cricket schedule – as with most other things around the world – has been thrown out of gear by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) organisers are hoping to get the competition going on schedule in August-September this year.

“CPL has been in constant communication with our medical advisors in recent weeks, as well as speaking with Cricket West Indies about the current situation with regard to cricket around the world, and at present there has been no discussion about moving the event,” a CPL statement said. “CPL believes it is too early to make such a decision, but this is an evolving situation and we are carefully watching how events unfold in the Caribbean and around the world.”

That said, they are also discussing contingency plans for the event, slotted for August 19 to September 26: “At present the CPL team are planning for the tournament to take place as scheduled whilst also looking at alternative plans should they be needed.”

ICC shuts headquarters, to ‘convene remotely’ to discuss urgent matters

The International Cricket Council has shut down its headquarters in Dubai and moved to a work-from-home policy from this week in response to growing concerns around the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) pandemic.

The governing body of the game, led by chairman Shashank Manohar and chief executive Manu Sawhney, is preparing for a video conference on Friday to address urgent board matters around the way the cricket calendar is being impacted by the pandemic, which has already delayed the start of the IPL and also severely affected the outlook for the coming English season in particular. The men’s edition of the T20 World Cup is scheduled to be played in Australia in October and November, placing it hard up against a raft of measures the Australian government has indicated will need to be in place for at least six months.

“In light of the continued global spread of COVID-19, concerns expressed by Members and mindful of the importance of taking mitigating measures against the virus, the ICC Board, has decided to hold its meetings scheduled for Dubai at the end of March via conference call only,” the ICC said in a statement on March 12. “The Board and a number of committees will convene remotely to consider matters for urgent decision only, with the full meetings rescheduled for early May.

“This will be kept under constant review in line with advice from relevant authorities as the health and well-being of staff and those attending the meetings remains our priority.”

We need to think about others, not just ourselves – Usman Khawaja

Australian batsman Usman Khawaja on Saturday spoke bluntly on social media about the need for society as a whole to put others first in their consideration of how to handle COVID-19, which has spread virulently across the globe.

“Just because the mortality rates for Covid-19 for many isn’t high, doesn’t mean you should have a blasé attitude. It’s our responsibility as a society to think about the elderly and the social and economical cost this will have on so many lives. We all need to do our part,” he wrote on Twitter. “The more seriously we take it, then hopefully, the quicker we can get through it and the less amount of lives that are affected both medically and financially. We need to think about others, not just ourselves.”

Similarly, Test captain Tim Paine had spoken about Cricket Australia’s decision to bring an early end to the home season, awarding the Sheffield Shield to New South Wales and advising against the conclusion of community competitions – though stopping short of an outright ban.

“There’s no doubt this has been a big week for our cricket community, a really big time for Australians,” Paine said. “Some decisions have been made in the best interest of our country, and its most vulnerable people. Those decisions were certainly not made lightly and have been made on the best possible advice from our government and from health experts.

“I hope we are all back playing the game we love and going about our lives the way we want to as soon as possible, but in the meantime, please take of yourselves, take care of others and ride this out together.”

Cricket Association of Bengal insures players, officials

The Cricket Association of Bengal has made changes to its insurance policy to cover Bengal players and match officials against the threat of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus).

“A couple of days ago, our president Mr Avishek Dalmiya initiated this,” CAB vice-president Naresh Ojha told ESPNcricinfo. “The policy covers all our players and umpires.”

SLC to grant LKR 25 million to government

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has decided to grant LKR 25 million to the government to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic. As of Monday noon, Sri Lanka had approximately 85 active COVID-19 cases in the country. All domestic cricket in Sri Lanka has been suspended to prevent the further spread of the novel coronavirus.

March 22

Kumar Sangakkara in self-isolation after Colombo return

Kumar Sangakkara has confirmed he is currently in self-quarantine in Colombo, as per the Sri Lanka government’s guidelines for those who have recently returned from Europe.

He made the revelation amids substantial concerns that those who have recently returned to the island have not been checking in with the police and maintaining proper isolation. In fact, the government even confirmed there have been at least three cases of recent returnees attempting to hide COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) symptoms from authorities, with one of those returnees going as far as to expose medical staff – among others – in a local hospital.

“I have no symptoms or anything like that, but I’m following government guidelines,” Sangakkara told News First on Sunday. “I arrived from London over a week ago and the first thing was there was a news bulletin saying that anyone who had traveled from within March 1 to 15 should register themselves with the police and undergo self quarantine. I registered myself with the police.”

Both Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene have been active on Twitter and Instagram, urging Sri Lankans to avoid panic and to exercise proper social distancing, as the country went into curfew on Friday evening. Several present cricketers have also emphasised the need for social distancing on their own social-media accounts.

As of Sunday afternoon, Sri Lanka had 78 active COVID-19 cases in the country. There are fears, however, that that number could shoot up rapidly, as there had been potential mass-infection events over the past 10 days. This includes the “Big Match” cricket encounter between St. Thomas’ College and Royal College last weekend, which attracted tens of thousands of spectators over three days, one of whom has since been confirmed to have contracted COVID-19.

Jason Gillespie goes into two-week isolation

Jason Gillespie, the former Australia fast bowler who’s now the head coach at Sussex, has returned home and gone into two weeks of self-isolation. Gillespie had been in Cape Town with the Sussex team for a pre-season tour, which was cut short as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

March 21

Ireland-Bangladesh series postponed due to COVID-19

Bangladesh’s tour of Ireland and England in May has been postponed due to the COVID 19 (novel coronavirus) pandemic. Three ODIs and four T20Is were scheduled to be held in Ireland and England from May 14 to 29. It was an expected call after all cricketing activities in England was shut down until May 28; the T20Is were slated for The Oval, Chelmsford, Bristol and Edgbaston.

Cricket Ireland chief executive Warren Deutrom said that it was a decision taken after discussion with the BCB.

“Once the scale of the COVID-19 pandemic was understood, and the advice of both governments and partner boards was sought, it became increasingly unlikely that this series could proceed as scheduled,” Deutrom said. “We have a responsibility to protect the wellbeing of players, coaches, fans and the wider community, and will not hesitate to take a safety-first approach to our operations over coming months. We will continue monitoring the situation, and will liaise as necessary with relevant sports bodies, public health agencies and our stakeholders here and abroad, and provide further updates on the home season in due course.

“We would like to thank the Bangladesh Cricket Board for their helpful cooperation in reaching this decision, and we shall work with them at establishing new dates for the series when we are all in a position to plan for the future with greater certainty.”

Ireland’s tour of Zimbabwe was recently called off, as well as the one-off ODI and second Test between Bangladesh and Pakistan in Karachi, scheduled for the start of April.

All domestic cricket in Sri Lanka postponed

Sri Lanka Cricket has postponed all domestic cricket in the country as the nation went into an island-wide curfew on Friday, to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus).

This, amid concerns that a local cricket match did play a role in community transmissions in Sri Lanka. The Big Match – an annual school encounter between the purported elite boys’ schools S. Thomas’ College and Royal College – was played between March 12 and 14, with tens of thousands of spectators in attendance at the SSC. One of those spectators has since tested positive for COVID-19, and all those who came into contact with him have been asked to self-isolate.

March 20

Majid Haq tweets news of positive coronavirus test

Former Scotland offspinner Majid Haq was diagnosed with Coronavirus. He said in a post on Twitter that he was heading back home after having tested positive. “Looking forward to potentially getting back home today after testing positive with Coronavirus. Staff at the RAH in Paisley have been good to me & thank you to everyone who has sent me messages of support. Insha Allah the Panther will be back to full health soon. #covid19UK”

Haq has played 54 ODIs and 21 T20Is, but last played for Scotland only in 2015.

March 19

The PCB has confirmed that all the 128 COVID-19 tests it had conducted on March 17, the day when the PSL was postponed, have come back negative. On Tuesday, the PSL was suspended after Karachi Kings’ Alex Hales had developed symptoms of the coronavirus.

“It was absolutely critical for the integrity and credibility of the HBL Pakistan Super League and the Pakistan Cricket Board that all players, support personnel, broadcasters and match officials, those who had decided to stay back till the end of the tournament, tested negative for COVID-19,” PCB CEO Wasim Khan said.

“In this background, the PCB is pleased with the outcome of the results and happy that all these players and officials have rejoined their families without any health and safety doubts or concerns. The PCB will continue to put in place precautionary measures to better safeguard the health of its employees.”

March 18

Self-isolation for South Africa cricketers

The South Africa team left India with their ODI series unfinished, and the players have since been asked to go into self-isolation for a period of two weeks.

“We have recommended that all players either self-isolate or social distance them for a minimum of fourteen days,” the team’s chief medical officer, Dr Shuaib Manjra, said. “That would be the proper way to protect people around them, the community, their families and in particular, the vulnerable people in their families. In this period, should anyone develop such symptoms or any other factor that is a cause for concern, we will ensure that they are investigated appropriately and managed as per the protocols that are currently existing.”

European Cricket League postponed

The European Cricket League (ECL) has been forced to postpone the second staging of the tournament until 2021.

ECL20 was scheduled to start on May 31 at La Manga Club in Spain, featuring 16 clubs from 15 different countries spread over eight days. Over 300 players and officials were due to travel to Spain for the event with fans also expected to attend from all over Europe.

March 17

Hales confirms COVID-19 symptoms, yet to be tested

Alex Hales has confirmed he is self-isolating at home after developing symptoms of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) following his return from the Pakistan Super League.

The PSL’s organisers confirmed on Tuesday morning that the competition’s semi-finals and finals had been postponed indefinitely after a player had shown symptoms of the virus.

“Like many other overseas players, I reluctantly left the Pakistan Super League early because, with COVID-19 reaching global pandemic status, I felt it was more important to be with my family rather than face a period of lockdown thousands of miles from home,” Hales said.

“I returned to the UK in the early hours of Saturday morning feeling perfectly fit and healthy and with absolutely no symptoms of the virus. However, I awoke early on Sunday morning having developed a fever and followed the government’s advice of self-isolation, a process I am obviously still following having developed a dry and persistent cough.

“At this stage, it has not been possible to be tested although I am hopeful that might be the case later today [Tuesday] so that I can get absolute confirmation of my current health status.”

BCCI shuts offices

A Press Trust of India report says that all of the BCCI’s employees have been asked to work from home in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic from Tuesday.

“The BCCI employees were today notified that the headquarters at the Wankhede Stadium will be as good as closed in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. All the staffers have been advised to work from home. However, if someone still wants to come, they can,” PTI quoted a BCCI official as saying.

The report further said that the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru has also stopped its zonal camps. The rehabilitation programmes at the NCA were still currently ongoing, as on Monday.

Additionally, IPL franchises who had been conducting pre-season camps have called them off.

PSL playoffs postponed hours before first semi-final

The Pakistan Super League, which had tweaked the original schedule to shorten it by four days with an eye on the worsening COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) situation, has been postponed.

According to a tweet by the official PSL handle, the semi-final games, which were scheduled to be played on Tuesday, and the final, which was to be played on Wednesday, will be rescheduled. Soon after the news became public, Salman Iqbal, the owner of Karachi Kings, one of the four sides in the semi-finals, told ESPNcricinfo, “I have been asking for it to be postponed for the past two days, as we [PSL] was the only cricket going on. But, anyway, it’s a very good decision by the franchise owners and the PCB management.” ESPNcricinfo also caught up with Sameen Rana, owner of Lahore Qalandars, another of the sides to have qualified for the final four, who said, “We respect the PCB decision. The health and safety of players and officials is of utmost importance. It’s unfortunate, but considering the situation, we understand the rationale.”

New South Wales named Sheffield Shield winners

New South Wales have been named the Sheffield Shield champions after the final was cancelled during the coronavirus pandemic.

They were well out in front during the regular season of the Sheffield Shield having already secured hosting rights for the final with six wins in nine matches before the abrupt end to the season. Victoria, the defending champions, were in second spot with Queensland also pushing hard to contest the final which would have been played in Wollongong.

March 16

Six Surrey players told to self-isolate

Surrey have announced that six of their players are self-isolating as a precautionary measure. The players involved have not been named.

The club said that “not all six have reported symptoms”, but they had been told to remain at home for the rest of the week due to proximity amid fears about the spread of coronavirus in the UK. The rest of Surrey’s squad will continue to train in the indoor school at The Oval.

Surrey last week announced the cancellation of their pre-season tour to Dubai, among several such disruptions to counties preparing for the 2020 summer.

CSA suspends all cricket

Cricket South Africa has suspended all cricket, professional and amateur, for the next 60 days after the country’s president Cyril Ramaphosa declared a state of disaster of Sunday. Widespread measures across the country, which include a travel ban on people from high-risk areas, and a prohibition of gatherings of over 100 people, have now halted sporting events, with the Premier Soccer League, Super Rugby and the Two Oceans Marathon also suspended.

That means the ongoing franchise one-day cup competitions semi-finals and final, which were due to take place this week, will not be played; neither will the final two rounds of the first-class competition, scheduled to run from late March into early April. CSA has yet to announce whether they will declare a winner for either.

The Dolphins are atop the one-day cup table with seven wins from their 10 round-robin matches and were due to play the Warriors in the first semi-final, with the second-placed Lions scheduled to play the Knights. Those matches will not take place. In the first-class competition, thought to be particularly important as South Africa look to name a new Test captain following Faf du Plessis’ stepping down, the Lions lead the pack.

Semi-professional cricket, including the three-day first-class competition and provincial one-day cup, which are both at their closing stages, has been stopped as well as amateur cricket such as club fixtures. In Cape Town, the Western Province Cricket Association office has been closed until further notice and the over-50s World Cup called off. South Africa men’s ODI trip to India was postponed after just one match and they return home on Wednesday morning while the women’s side’s series against Australia, due to take place this month, has also been put back.

Lynn leaves PSL

Shortly after his matchwinning century for Lahore Qalandars, Chris Lynn said he was heading back to Australia and would miss the knockouts. On Sunday, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced enhanced restrictions on all international travellers entering the country with them required to self-isolate for 14 days.

In an Instagram post, Lynn wrote: “Thoroughly enjoyed my time at the @thepsl unfortunately in these circumstances I’ve chosen to head home, I’ve always said there is more to life than cricket and this is certainly one of these cases. I have full faith in the @lahoreqalandars to go all the way but more importantly have fun lads! Thank you to everyone involved, Pakistan you have been a blast.”

Final leg of Bangladesh’s tour of Pakistan called off

The Pakistan and Bangladesh cricket boards have agreed to postpone the upcoming third leg of their series, of one ODI and and Test in Karachi in early April, in light of growing concerns around the spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) and travel restrictions around the world.

Ireland tour of Zimbabwe to be rescheduled

Ireland’s six-match tour of Zimbabwe, scheduled for April, has been postponed despite Zimbabwe having yet to report any cases of COVID-19. The two countries agreed that the risks involved in traveling, amid the growing threat of coronavirus worldwide, has necessitated a rescheduling of this series.

The teams were due to play three T20s and three ODIs, all in Bulawayo. Though the Irish government has not put in place is a travel restriction or prohibition to Zimbabwe at the moment, both countries agreed on a safety-first approach.

“We were looking forward to hosting Ireland in Bulawayo next month, but with the world in the throes of a public health emergency on a scale not witnessed in over a century, postponing the tour was the only reasonable decision,”Givemore Makoni, Acting Managing Director of Zimbabwe Cricket said. “We are looking to reschedule the tour once the pandemic has been brought under control.”

Domestic cricket in Zimbabwe was active until 10 days ago, with the final two rounds of the Logan Cup scheduled to begin this weekend. The government has set up an isolation facility in the capital Harare but their biggest concern comes from their southern neighbours, South Africa, home to more than three million Zimbabweans and with 62 cases of confirmed cases of coronavirus.

Dhaka Premier League halted

The Dhaka Premier League, Bangladesh’s domestic 50-over tournament, has been halted due to the growing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. The BCB’s announcement came hours after the government had shut down schools, colleges and universities till March 31.

Two rounds have already been completed in the Dhaka Premier League so far, with all 12 clubs having played one match each. This is the second cricketing event that has been affected by the coronavirus in Bangladesh, after the Bangabandhu birth anniversary T20Is were deferred.

Sussex return early from Cape Town

Sussex have become the latest county to curtail their pre-season tour and will return from Cape Town as soon as possible.

Sussex Cricket performance director, Keith Greenfield said: “We have been monitoring the fast-moving situation regarding Coronavirus prior to and during the tour and, with travel restrictions increasing, we’ve made the decision to return to the UK at the earliest opportunity. This is obviously disappointing, but – as ever – the well-being of our players and staff is our number one priority.”

March 15

Over-50s World Cup cancelled over demographics concerns

The Over-50s World Cup has been called off into its third round after the tournament’s medical committee said “it is a public health risk decision” in the wake of the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that is sweeping the world. “The decision was taken for the protection of the players, given their age demographic, but also for the local population given that 95% of known cases in South African have come from travellers,” Dr Parag Pandya, the head of the medical committee of the tournament, said. The coronavirus’ fatality rate is highest among older adults, especially those above the age of 50.

A Cricket South Africa release said the decision was made when the third round of matches were ongoing, and the matches were abandoned after the first innings. The release also stated that seven off the 11 visiting teams have been staying in the same Cape Town hotel and appropriate precautions have been taken. They will remain there until further arrangements are made.

‘I just had a very very mild cold’ – Lockie Ferguson after coronavirus concerns

The New Zealand fast bowler had to be under self-isolation after reporting symptoms of sore throat following an ODI against Australia on Friday. But his COVID-19 tests came back negative and as a result he has been able to return home.

March 14

The BCCI has put the remainder of the 2019-20 domestic season on hold until further notice. This includes the flagship Irani Cup fixture between the newly crowned Ranji Trophy champions Saurashtra and the Rest of India, which was scheduled to be played in Rajkot from March 18 to 22.

The other tournaments that will not go ahead as scheduled are the Senior Women’s One-Day Knockout, the Senior Women’s One-Day Challenger, the Women’s Under-19 One-Day Knockout, the Women’s Under-19 T20 League, the Women’s Under-19 T20 Challenger Trophy, the Women’s Under-23 Knockout, the Women’s Under-23 One-Day Challenger, and the Vizzy Trophy (50-overs inter-zonal universities tournament).

West Indies suspends all cricket

Acting on the recommendation of its Medical Advisory Committee (MAC), Cricket West Indies has taken the decision to suspend all its tournaments and face-to-face group meetings from March 16 onwards, for a minimum of 30 days.

The tournaments affected are:

Last two rounds of the West Indies Championship
The Women’s CMI Super 50 Cup
Regional Under 15s Boys Championship
Regional Under 19s Girls Championship

All urgent CWI Board matters will be addressed via teleconference.

Dr Israel Dowlat, the CWI’s chief medical officer, said: “The health and safety of our players, officials and staff, are of paramount importance to CWI and we have advised the Board of Directors to take proactive policy steps to decrease the growing risk of contamination and spread of the virus.”

Dr Donovan Bennett, the chairman of MAC, said the decision was in accordance with medical best practice and an “abundance” of caution.

“We are acting based on medical best practice as well as in an abundance of caution. The ongoing gathering of even small groups of spectators, cricketers and match officials could pose a risk to some persons of contracting the virus and being stranded in quarantine in a non-resident country for a prolonged period. Clearly this pandemic is still evolving, and we will continue to monitor the situation throughout the Caribbean.”

CSK suspend practice, players sent home

Chennai Super Kings have suspended their practice and their players are set to return home, joining the rest of the cricket world as they take precautions against the spread of the coronavirus. The three-time IPL champions have been training for the upcoming season since the start of March. But with the severity of the outbreak growing, and with the BCCI postponing the tournament itself to April 15, the Super Kings wrapped up their camp on Saturday even though it was only due to end on March 19.

Ironically, just as people are being advised not to gather together in large groups, the three stands in Chepauk that have been sealed for the past eight years are open for use again.

BCCI to wait and watch before fixing IPL schedule

The BCCI and the IPL franchise owners have decided to adopt a wait-and-watch approach over when and how to hold the IPL. They want to give health and safety of the players and people involved in holding the IPL priority and are likely to discuss its schedule again after two-three weeks, depending on how the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) situation unfolds in India, where, as of Friday, two lives have been lost because of it.

Australia v New Zealand cancelled amid travel restrictions

The last two matches of the Chappell-Hadlee one-day series will not take place along with the three-match T20I series between the two teams in New Zealand later this month due to new travel restrictions imposed by the New Zealand government amid the coronavirus pandemic.

On Saturday afternoon, the New Zealand government tightened border restrictions saying those entering the country from Australia would be subjected to a mandatory 14-day self-isolation period.

March 13

Ferguson undergoes coronavirus test after reporting sore throat

New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson has undergone a COVID-19 test and been isolated from his team-mates for the next 24 hours after reporting a sore throat after the first ODI against Australia at the SCG. As with Kane Richardson, who after having a mild sore throat underwent a test before the game which came back negative on Friday evening, an abundance of caution is being taken given the current situation.

MCC v Essex game and World Cricket Committee meeting cancelled

The annual MCC Champion County match, scheduled to be played against Essex this year from March 24 to 27 in Galle, has been called off because of the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) threat. Same is the case with the MCC World Cricket Committee meeting in Colombo, slotted for March 28 and 29.

“The health and safety of players, officials and supporters is our priority, and with the danger of infection beginning to increase in the UK, as well as the risk of quarantine for UK arrivals abroad and the potential of spreading the virus further, the decision has been taken for the match and the committee meeting to be cancelled,” an MCC statement said. “The club would like to stress that the decision we have made has not been taken lightly, however with health and safety of paramount importance, it was agreed that it was a risk not worth taking.

“A visit to Sri Lanka remains very much in MCC’s plans and we hope to organise a trip to the country in the near future.”

The MCC v champion county fixture that has been a staple of the English season since 1970, in recent years has moved to centres like Abu Dhabi, Barbados and Dubai. Kumar Sangakkara, who became the club’s first overseas president last October, was supposed to lead the MCC side, and the match would have started a day after England’s first Test in Sri Lanka, also in Galle. That series, too, stands cancelled because of the same reason.

India v South Africa ODI series called off

The three-match ODI series between India and South Africa has been called off in response to fears around the coronavirus pandemic.

The decision follows the move by the BCCI earlier on Friday to defer the IPL by around a fortnight, and amid similar decisions regarding other cricket tours and tournaments.

The first match of the series, in Dharamsala on Thursday, was washed out.

IPL 2020 deferred until April 15

IPL 2020 has been deferred until April 15 following the global concern over the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) outbreak. The decision to postpone the tournament, which was scheduled to start on March 29, was taken by the BCCI top brass lead by its president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah and top management of the IPL in the wake of the advice given by various arms of the Indian government.

The IPL sent the communication to all eight franchises on Friday, saying it would meet the owners on Saturday in person in Mumbai to further debrief on the matter.

England tour of Sri Lanka postponed

England’s Test tour of Sri Lanka has been called off at the request of the ECB, due to the growing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, but on the understanding that it will be rescheduled at a later date.

The news came while England were playing their final four-day warm-up match, ahead of the two-Test series which had been scheduled to get underway in Galle on March 19. Play continued for a few minutes after the announcement, before the players left the field at 3.40pm local time.

The match was duly abandoned with the Sri Lanka Board President’s XI on 150 for 3 in their first innings.

Netherlands tour to Namibia cancelled

Delhi bars all sports activities in the city

The Delhi government has announced its decision to bar all sports activities in the capital city in the wake of the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) threat.

An order signed by Padmini Singla, the Health and Family Welfare secretary to the state government, has directed that all sports gatherings “including IPL”, conferences and seminars with attendances of over 200 are prohibited within Delhi. This, however, might mean that the IPL could still go ahead if played behind closed doors.

“”We have banned gatherings at sports events,” Manish Sisodia, Delhi’s deputy chief minister, said in a press conference. “If the BCCI comes up with a new format [of organising the IPL], then it is up to them. We have only banned gatherings.”

As far as the IPL is concerned, Delhi – home to Delhi Capitals – is scheduled to host its first game on the second day of the tournament, on March 30 against Kings XI Punjab, with six further home games in April and May.

A meeting between the IPL governing council and representatives of the eight franchises is scheduled for tomorrow but, as ESPNcricinfo reported yesterday, there is a strong possibility of the IPL being a severely restricted tournament this year, with at least some part of it played to empty stands.

While the central sports ministry said it would not stop sporting events from taking place as long as they adhere strictly to governmental guidelines, discouraging mass gatherings, the external affairs (foreign) ministry has gone a step further, saying its advice is to not go ahead with the tournament at this time, but the decision has been left to the organisers.

CWC League 2 series in Florida postponed

The sixth series of the Cricket World Cup League 2, set to begin on April 1 in Florida, has been postponed by the ICC because of COVID-19 fears.

The ODI series was scheduled to be held at Broward County Stadium in Fort Lauderdale with hosts USA, Scotland and UAE playing each other twice each till April 8.

Chris Tetley, the ICC head of events, said, “We have been monitoring the sixth series of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 very closely, with recent travel restrictions being imposed globally and uncertainty for participants returning home, we have taken the decision to postpone the series.

“Working closely with USA Cricket, Cricket Scotland and the Emirates Cricket Board, all parties felt the best decision was to postpone and together we will find an alternative space in the calendar to reschedule the series.”

Kane Richardson isolated after reporting sore throat

Kane Richardson will miss the first ODI against New Zealand at the SCG having been tested for COVID-19 after reporting a mild sore throat to Australia’s medical team yesterday. Richardson, who returned from South Africa earlier this week with the rest of the ODI squad, has been isolated for the time being and results of the test are expected this afternoon. It is understood that Richardson is feeling fine and concern in the Australia camp is low

Australia-New Zealand ODIs to be played behind closed doors

Concerns among Australia’s players about potential exposure to coronavirus in front of large crowds of spectators were a factor in Cricket Australia’s decision to play the one-day series against New Zealand behind closed doors, with the T20I matches at the end of the month in New Zealand are in doubt. The two ODIs in Sydney on Friday and Sunday and the final match in Hobart on March 20 will take place as scheduled but spectators won’t be admitted.

England Test schedule in doubt as UK moves to COVID-19 ‘delay’ phase

England’s Test tour against Sri Lanka is currently “planned to continue” in spite of the growing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, but their home Test series against West Indies in June, as well as the T20 Blast, is under threat, with both events scheduled for a period that the UK government has identified as the likely peak of the virus in the country.

March 12

ICC Board to hold March meeting via conference call only

The ICC Board has decided to hold its next round of meetings, scheduled for end of March in Dubai, via “conference call only”. The ICC announced on Thursday that in light of the continued spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) and amid concerns expressed my its members, they will convene remotely to consider matters for urgent decision only and hold the full meetings in May.

“In light of the continued global spread of COVID-19, concerns expressed by Members and mindful of the importance of taking mitigating measures against the virus, the ICC Board, has decided to hold its meetings scheduled for Dubai at the end March via conference call only,” the ICC said in a statement.

“The Board and a number of committees will convene remotely to consider matters for urgent decision only, with the full meetings rescheduled for early May. This will be kept under constant review in line with advice from relevant authorities as the health and well-being of staff and those attending the meetings remains our priority.”

The ICC meetings are scheduled to be held over the March 26-29 weekend and is an important one, given that the body wants to get on with the bidding process it has drafted for global events in the 2023-31 cycle of the Future Tours Programme. Also on the agenda is finalising the playing conditions for the ODI League which will start in May 2021.

Earlier this month the members of the Asian Cricket Council were scheduled to meet in Dubai to discuss the venue for the Asia Cup, but that too was deferred due to concerns about the coronavirus.

Australia Women won’t tour South Africa as scheduled because of coronavirus

Australian Women’s tour to South Africa, scheduled to consist of three ODIs and as many T20Is, and due to start on March 22 will not take place as scheduled as part of the preventative measures against COVID-19 (novel coronavirus). This is the first major international series which will not take place as scheduled because of the virus.

Karachi games of PSL to be played behind closed doors

Karachi Kings’ match against Lahore Qalandars on Thursday will be the last PSL contest at the National Stadium to be played in front of a crowd. In a bid to prevent COVID-19 from spreading, the PCB announced, following advice from the provincial government, that all remaining games at the National Stadium will be played to empty stadiums. At the time of writing, the number of COVID-19 cases in Pakistan stood at 21, with the bulk of them originating in Sindh province, of which Karachi is the capital.

It is one of a number of steps the PCB is taking, including urging all players to avoid shaking hands with each other and urging fans not to approach players for photographs and autographs. “Following developments in the past 24 hours, the PCB has decided to take a proactive approach and put in place precautionary measures to better safeguard the health and safety of all those who will be involved in the upcoming matches,” the PCB’s chief executive officer Wasim Khan said.

Fans will be refunded for tickets purchased. The fate of the fixtures in Karachi had been in doubt for a number of days since the first cases of COVID-19 were discovered in Karachi on February 26, but on advice from the government, the decision was made to proceed with the games in front of packed stadiums. As such, the game between Karachi and Lahore on Thursday was attended by a full house. The decision represents something of a U-turn, which will affect four matches in Karachi.

Last two ODIs of India-South Africa series to be played behind closed doors

The remaining two ODIs of the ongoing series between India and South Africa will be played to empty stadiums. The development comes in the wake of the Indian government directing the BCCI and other national sporting federations, including the Indian Olympics Committee, on Thursday to “avoid” mass gatherings at sporting events as it takes steps to contain the coronavirus pandemic. Lucknow will be hosting the second ODI on March 16 and Kolkata the final ODI on March 18.

Last day of Ranji Trophy final to be played in empty stadium

As a precautionary measure against the novel coronavirus, the fifth day of the ongoing Ranji Trophy final between Saurashtra and Bengal in Rajkot will be played in front of empty stands.

On the basis of a directive from India’s Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports and as advised by the BCCI, Saurashtra Cricket Association took the decision to not allow spectators inside the stadium for Friday’s play. As per a release from the association, only the following people are allowed for the final day.

  • Both teams

  • Support staff of both teams

  • Match officials

  • TV & radio crews

  • Officials, support staff and service staff of the association

  • Accredited media persons

Road Safety World Series postponed

The Road Safety World Series T20 tournament, which features five teams comprising retired greats including Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara, has been “postponed”, as a precautionary measure against the spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus). The tournament was supposed to see 10 league matches, of which four had been played, followed by a final at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on March 22.

The organisers had earlier announced on Thursday morning that the remaining games would be played behind closed doors but it later emerged that the tournament was called off.

The move comes in the wake of the Maharashtra government deciding to cancel all public gatherings, including political meetings and conferences, in order to check the spread of the coronavirus.

IPL 2020 likely to take place behind closed doors

It is now a strong possibility that IPL 2020 will take place behind closed doors, in light of the coronavirus threat, with the Indian government indicating it will not stop sporting events from taking place as long as they adhere strictly to health-ministry guidelines discouraging mass gatherings.

Fan who attended Women’s T20 World Cup final tests positive

A fan who attended the T20 World Cup final at the MCG on Sunday night has tested positive for coronavirus. The fan was seated at the stadium’s Northern Stand.

“The Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC), as ground managers of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), is aware that a person who attended the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Final at the MCG on Sunday March 8 has now been diagnosed with COVID-19,” a statement on the Melbourne Cricket Club website said. “The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has advised of the patron’s diagnosis and has classified it as a low-risk of spreading COVID-19 to surrounding members of the public and staff. The patron sat on Level 2 of the Northern Stand at the MCG in section N42.

“The DHHS recommends that those who were seated in N42 at Sunday’s event should continue to go about their normal routine, with an increased focus on hygiene measures, and should any flu-like symptoms emerge to consult with a medical professional.

“The MCC is working closely with the Government and the DHHS and the advice is to operate business as usual, including hosting major events, however are prepared should that change at any stage. The MCC is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for those visiting the MCG and as a precautionary measure have undertaken intensive cleaning of the affected section.”

A crowd of 86,174 attended the final between Australia and India, only 4,641 short of the record for a women’s sporting event, set during the 1999 FIFA World Cup final in Pasadena.

Notts cancel friendly due to Northants’ Singapore tour

Nottinghamshire have cancelled a planned pre-season friendly against Northamptonshire and replaced it with a game against Lancashire amid coronavirus fears.

Northants are currently in Singapore on their pre-season tour, where there are at least 178 recorded cases of coronavirus. They had considered alternative venues after the outbreak but travelled after consultation with the ECB, and head coach David Ripley told the Northamptonshire Telegraph that any non-cricketing activities had been cut, meaning “we are pretty much going to be at the hotel and then the cricket venue”.

Under current UK government advice, returning travellers from Singapore should self-isolate for 14 days if they experience any symptoms of the virus, however mild. ESPNcricinfo understands that none of the players on the tour has experienced any health issues and that the mood in the squad is good.

Lancashire are one of four counties to confirm the cancellation of an overseas tour to date (Surrey, Worcestershire and Somerset are the others), while it is understood that some of Hampshire’s squad have not travelled to La Manga as planned. Essex have travelled to Abu Dhabi and a spokesperson said there was “nothing to report” regarding any possible changes to their schedule, while Yorkshire arrived in Mumbai this morning.

March 11

ICC board meeting in March under coronavirus cloud

The status of the next set of ICC board meetings is in doubt due to travel restrictions emanating from the coronavirus epidemic that has disrupted movements across the globe. The ICC meetings were scheduled to be held over the March 26-29 weekend in Dubai and is an important one, given that the ICC management wants to get on with the bidding process it has drafted for global events in the 2023-31 cycle of the Future Tours Programme.

Not everyone is on the same page as the ICC, however, with the BCCI, ECB and several other boards wary of adding extra ICC events into the next cycle, which would eat into their bilateral calendar. Although the events were approved by the ICC Board last October, the BCCI and ECB have since raised strong objections and now want to re-open consultations on the additional events before moving ahead on the bidding process. Also on the agenda are finalising the playing conditions for the ODI League which will start in May 2021.

But the impact of the coronavirus in the UAE, where a number of sporting events have either been cancelled or played behind closed doors, and schools have been shut, means that the ICC, as well as its members, are monitoring and reviewing the status of those meetings. The UAE has also put in place travel restrictions on individuals traveling in from certain countries. The country has so far reported 74 cases of people being infected.

If the ICC meetings are postponed, it will be the second time a key cricket meeting has been taken out of Dubai. Earlier this month the members of the Asian Cricket Council were scheduled to meet there to discuss the venue for the Asia Cup, but deferred due to concerns about the coronavirus.

The ICC’s final decision is expected either tomorrow, or next week but alternative options could include postponement or video conferences.

Can’t avoid fans but can avoid going ‘much closer’ to them – Bhuveshwar Kumar

On the eve of the ODI series opener between India and South Africa in Dharamsala, visiting captain Quinton de Kock and the returning Bhuvneshwar Kumar touched upon the precautions that the two teams have taken amid fears of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus).

CSA’s chief medical officer Dr Shuaib Manjra has made the trip with the team, and Kumar said that India’s team doctor is also making sure the players are fit and healthy.

“A few dos and don’ts he [the doctor] has asked us to do: simple things like hygiene, keep washing your hands and when it comes to going closer to the fans and all those things, you cannot avoid because they love us, support us,” Kumar said. “In the meantime, we can try to be and not say no to them but we can choose not to go much closer to going into the public, so we can avoid as much as we can and keep wearing masks and gloves and all those things.”

When asked if India will still go ahead and shine the ball with the saliva, Kumar said, “We have thought about this thing [not using saliva] but I can’t say right now we will not use saliva because if we don’t use saliva then how will we shine the ball. Then we will get hit and you people will say you are not bowling [well].”

As for de Kock, he said that South Africa won’t mind using their saliva to shine the ball. “We’ve been tested [for coronavirus] on our way in here, but think we will still shine the ball,” he said. Our team doctors and management have made sure all are fit and don’t have coronavirus. So, we will tend to that and will keep the ball shining.”

BCCI releases list of precautions for India to follow

The Indian board on March 11 shared a list of precautions for India, the visitors South Africa and for the general public who will watch the ODI series.

All public toilets at match venues will be “stocked with hand wash liquids and sanitizers” while medical staff and first aiders at the ground will keep a track of those feeling unwell on match day. Apart from that, the Indian team management has been educated on the standard healthcare guidelines including “washing hands with soap for 20 seconds” and “covering mouth while sneezing or coughing.”

The management has also been told not to indulge in selfie opportunities, interactions and eating out at restaurants “where hygiene standards are unknown.” They have also been told to inform the medical team immediately if they feel unwell. Hotels and airlines that will be used by the players during the series have also been issued a mandate to sanitise their surroundings.

World XI v Asia XI matches postponed amid coronavirus fears

The global spread of the coronavirus has claimed another international sporting fixture with the Bangladesh Cricket Board postponing the World XI v Asia XI matches that would have marked the birthday celebrations of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, referred to as father of the nation.

These matches were scheduled to take place on March 21 and 22 in Dhaka and were set to include a variety of superstars including Virat Kohli, Lasith Malinga and Chris Gayle, but the BCB president Nazmul Hasan announced on Wednesday that they had been “deferred” until further notice”.

England ban selfies with fans amid Coronavirus fears

England’s cricket team will refrain from taking selfies with fans and limit public engagements on their tour of Sri Lanka amid the global Coronavirus outbreak.

The team also asked “all supporters joining the tour to maintain good levels of hygiene” as advised by the World Health Organisation Britain’s National Health Service to avoid possible infection and spreading of illness in a statement released by the ECB on Wednesday.

“Following the world health agency’s advice, and in order to protect the players and, in turn, the integrity and continuation of the Sri Lanka Test tour, the team has put in place several precautions, leading to a number of normal activities being cancelled for the foreseeable future,” the statement said.

“England players and staff have been asked to avoid any unnecessary public engagements, and temporarily avoid casual supporter interaction such as selfies or autographs. Whilst we acknowledge that this will be disappointing for some supporters, we stress that this a measure to protect the ongoing wellbeing of the England Test squad and is a decision which has not been taken lightly.”

England players and staff will continue to replace handshakes with fist bumps in an attempt to minimise contact.

PSL games to go ahead in Karachi as scheduled

The PCB has confirmed that the PSL matches in Karachi will go ahead as scheduled amid fears of the coronavirus outbreak.

“In this background, we are satisfied with the feedback the Sindh government has provided and the support it has assured,” a PCB statement said. “At the same time, the PCB has promised the Sindh government that it will work very closely with its commercial partner and support wherever it can to assist in the health and safety of the spectators.

“The PCB now looks forward to a strong turnaround at the Karachi matches as the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020 enters a critical phase with five of the six sides fighting for places in the play-offs.”

According to reports, there have been 16 cases of the virus in Pakistan so far, with nine new cases identified in Karachi.

Asia XI v World XI: BCCI to review situation in Dhaka

The coronavirus threat has cast doubts over the two-match T20I series between an Asia XI and a World XI in Dhaka, planned as part of the birth centenary celebrations of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of the nation of Bangladesh.

Six Indians, including Virat Kohli, are expected to play a part in the tournament, and the BCCI is adopting a wait-and-watch policy on the matter.

BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal has been quoted by the New Indian Express as saying: “Players from western countries are also scheduled to participate. With regard to our players’ participation, we’ll review the situation and take a call accordingly. In my knowledge and as of now, the Bangladesh Cricket Board has not officially intimated the BCCI in this regard. Anyway, whoever is dealing with the issue must be keeping a close watch on the developments.”

Surrey and Worcestershire cancel pre-season tours

Surrey and Worcestershire have decided to cancel their planned pre-season trips to Dubai and Abu Dhabi respectively, after weighing up the risks associated with Coronavirus.

Surrey’s director of cricket, Alec Stewart, said: “While it’s disappointing we won’t be able to return to Dubai this year, the health of our players and staff is paramount … current uncertainties around travel and potential quarantine periods, either abroad or in the UK, mean this trip would simply be too disruptive to our preparations for the 2020 season.”

March 10

South Africa and India are likely to avoid shaking hands with each other during their three-match ODI series, which starts on Thursday, and will exchange fist bumps instead as a precaution against COVID-19 (novel coronavirus). The 11-day tour is going ahead after CSA conducted an expert assessment of the risk of traveling given the growing number of global coronavirus infections, and deemed it safe for the team to transit through New Dubai and Delhi and play in Dharamsala, Lucknow and Kolkata. The team has been briefed on precautionary measures and CSA’s chief medical officer, Dr Shuaib Manjra, will be traveling with the team.

Other than the lack of handshakes – which will also be the case for England in Sri Lanka – South Africa have not been given any other specific instructions. They will continue to interact with fans and have even taken some photographs with them, including selfies.

March 9

One ticket per person for first T20I – BCB reacts to concerns

The BCB has restricted the sale of tickets – one per person – for the first T20I between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, to be played later today in Dhaka, in a bid to “discourage public gathering” following concerns about the spread of COVID-19. With one person being sold only one ticket, the target is to keep the crowd to one-fifth of the capacity at the 25,000-seater Shere Bangla National Stadium.

March 6

CSA going forward with India tour after medical advice

South Africa’s tour of India for three ODIs will go ahead after the organisation completed a risk assessment regarding the spread of COVID-19 across the world. While South Africa reported its first confirmed case of the virus on Thursday, India’s health ministry has estimated infections are affecting around 30 people. But a team of experts have deemed the country and the team’s transit routes safe for travel. CSA’s chief medical officer Dr Shuaib Manjra will make the trip with the team.

March 5

Everest Premier League postponed

The Everest Premier League, Nepal’s foremost franchise T20 tournament, has been postponed following a government directive to refrain from mass gatherings amid fears about the transmission of COVID-19.

March 3

No handshakes for England in Sri Lanka

England’s players will not be shaking hands with one another on their tour to Sri Lanka, captain Joe Root has revealed, using “the well-established fist bump” as a greeting instead.





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