Coronavirus update, March 17: Cricket contests affected by COVID-19

Coronavirus update, March 17: Cricket contests affected by COVID-19

Faf du Plessis South Africa coronavirus

The World Health Organisation has already classified the Coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, as a pandemic. We have already seen the cancellation of several cricketing events in the early days after the news broke out. Here is a list of subsequent updates:

Pakistan Super League

The PSL was the only major league that continued amidst the Coronavirus scare, even after fourteen overseas cricketers and a coach left midway. However, the knockout matches had to be postponed indefinitely on March 17, the day on which the semi-finals were scheduled.

Multan Sultans were supposed to play Peshawar Zalmi in the first semi-final, while Lahore Qalandars would have hosted Karachi Kings in the second.

Australia vs New Zealand

The Chappell-Hadlee Trophy was called off after a solitary match, one that Australia won by 71 runs in an empty Sydney Cricket Ground. Kane Richardson and Lockie Ferguson were both tested for Coronavirus during the day of the match after showing symptoms of cold, but both tested negative.

Sheffield Shield

The 2019-20 Sheffield Shield was called ahead of the final round of league matches. With 50.76 points, New South Wales were declared champions, while Victoria finished runners-up with 38.53 and Queensland third with 36.91.

Plunket Shield

As with the Sheffield Shield, the Plunket Shield, too, was called off midway. Wellington (83 points) won this year’s shield, with Central Districts (57) coming a distant second and Otago (55) third.

Indian and West Indian domestic cricket

BCCI and CWI cancelled all their domestic matches for the ongoing season. The highlight of which would have been the Irani Cup, originally scheduled on March 18.

English domestic season

The English domestic season’s usual April start is unlikely to happen this season. Speculations are that the County Championship may even last till October, for the first time in history.

India vs South Africa

The decision to cancel the second and third ODIs, at Lucknow and Kolkata, had been taken on March 14. However, the cricketers were left stranded in Kolkata, waiting for a flight back home, finally managing to get onboard today.