In view of rising COVID-19 concerns, the two-match test series between England and Sri Lanka, to be launched in Galle, on 18 March, has been postponed.
The World Health Organization has recently classified the COVID-19 as a pandemic in the face of a growing number of confirmed cases all around the world. After that, cricket boards have continued to take various steps to prioritize clubs, fans, and other stakeholders ‘ well-being. England and Sri Lanka have agreed to postpone the series indefinitely after a number of boards shifted to play matches behind closed doors.
“Due to the Covid-19 pandemic is worsening globally, and after discussions with Sri Lanka Cricket, today we have made the decision to return our players to the UK and postpone the forthcoming Test series between Sri Lanka and England,” the statement from ECB read.
ICC Took On To Twitter To Announce The Suspension Of Series. Have A Look At It:
BREAKING: England's two-Test series in Sri Lanka has been postponed due to the current coronavirus pandemic. pic.twitter.com/zMKtgK6rRK
— ICC (@ICC) March 13, 2020
“At this time, the physical and mental well-being of our players and support teams is paramount. We will now look to bring them home to their families as soon as possible”, the statement added further.
After the first ODI against South Africa was washed out at Dharamsala, the BCCI declared that the remaining two ODIs would be played behind closed doors and then declared that the IPL would be postponed to April 15 from the initial start date of March 29th. For the current ODI series against New Zealand, also Cricket Australia has agreed to disallow audiences’ entry.
