Black Caps pace bowler Lockie Ferguson is in isolation after he complained of a sore throat following his team’s ODI loss to Australia on Friday night. Ferguson was immediately placed in isolation after the game in Sydney, which was played without any fans in attendance due to the coronavirus outbreak.
New Zealand Cricket confirmed that Ferguson had been placed in isolation at the team hotel for the next 24 hours – “in accordance with recommended health protocols” – and was set to be tested for Covid-19.
“Once the test results are received and diagnosed, his return to the team can be determined,” NZ Cricket said in a statement.
Earlier Australian fast bowler Kane Richardson was cleared of coronavirus after his tests returned negative, Cricket Australia said.
The right-arm pacer, who returned with the Australian team from South Africa earlier this week, had informed the medical staff of a sore throat on Thursday and was then sent for a precautionary novel COVID-19 testing.
However, Richardson’s coronavirus test returned negative and he was on his way to the Sydney cricket ground where the first ODI against New Zealand is taking place.
At a time when the World Health Organisation (W.H.O) has declared coronavirus outbreak a pandemic, sporting events throughout the world have suffered massively.
While, football fixtures including La Liga and Champions League have been postponed, some sports events are giving their TV audiences a reprieve by holding closed-door matches or matches without spectators in the stands.
Australia met New Zealand at the beautiful Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday and as the two captains went for the toss there was no roar or applause from the crowd as there was no crowd!
