SYDNEY, March 17, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Australia’s domestic Sheffield Shield
was called off Tuesday because of the coronavirus pandemic with New South
Wales declared champions as all cricket nationwide was halted.
The last round of the tournament had already been cancelled to reduce
travel and the final has followed suit to leave New South Wales, who led
after nine rounds of the inter-state competition, as the winners.
Australia’s three-match one-day international series against New Zealand,
being played with no spectators, had been abandoned at the weekend with
Australia 1-0 up after Wellington tightened border restrictions to combat a
spread of the virus.
Cricket Australia chief Kevin Roberts recommended that all community
cricket should stop and shut down the organisation’s offices with staff
working from home.
“By effectively cancelling the remainder of our season, Cricket Australia
is playing its part in protecting fans, players, staff, volunteers and match
officials during this unprecedented global health issue,” he said.
“These are difficult decisions, but the right ones in the circumstances.”
Australia has confirmed nearly 400 cases of coronavirus so far, with five
fatalities.