Bob Willis Trophy | Gloucestershire -Northampton game abandoned following COVID-19 case
A match between Gloucestershire and Northamptonshire in the Bob Willis Trophy was abandoned after a non-traveling member of Northamptonshire tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The member had come in contact with many other squad members after developing COVID-19 symptoms.
England and Wales Cricket Board have put up uncompromisable rules regarding Covid-19 protocols and every team knew that a simple breach in protocol might prove costly. It came to being in the game between Gloucestershire and Northamptonshire at the Bristol County Ground which has now been abandoned following a member of the Northamptonshire playing squad testing positive for COVID-19.
"Just before lunch of the first session of play, it came to light that a member of the Northamptonshire playing squad has tested positive for COVID-19," The Northamptonshire County Cricket Club wrote in a statement, reported Cricbuzz.
"Although the player was not part of the group that travelled with the squad to Bristol (and has been self-isolating at home), further members of the Northamptonshire squad have been in contact with the player within 48 hours of the player developing COVID-19 symptoms."
Now that the game is abandoned, the Northamptonshire squad will return home on Sunday itself but that will not have any impact on either squad given both the teams were out of contention for a spot in the final of the Bob Willis Trophy already.
"Gloucestershire, Northamptonshire and the ECB are unified in the belief that player welfare is paramount and that no risks should be taken with the health and safety of the players, officials and administrators involved in this match," the statement further added.