Coronavirus: New Zealand's Plunket Shield cancelled, Wellington crowned champion

Wellington Firebirds won the 2019-20 Plunket Shield thanks to its 26-point lead over Central Stags with the competition cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Published : Mar 16, 2020 11:57 IST , WELLINGTON

Representative image: Wellington Firebirds led second-placed Central Stags by 26 points in the Plunket Shield
Representative image: Wellington Firebirds led second-placed Central Stags by 26 points in the Plunket Shield
lightbox-info

Representative image: Wellington Firebirds led second-placed Central Stags by 26 points in the Plunket Shield

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) cancelled the last two rounds of the Plunket Shield due to the coronavirus pandemic and awarded the title to league leader Wellington Firebirds on Monday.

Chief executive David White said NZC took the “difficult decision” after receiving expert medical advice and following the government's move to tighten border controls.

“Were informed the risk is very real; the pace of change is great and we have a duty of care to not only our staff and players but our communities as well,” White said in a statement.

Read: CA cancels final round of Sheffield Shield, defers decision on title match

The Wellington Firebirds clinched the 2019-20 title thanks to its 26-point lead over Central Stags.

More than concerns around mass gathering, NZC said it wanted to curb heightened risk of transmission in airports, planes and hotels.

NZC has also cancelled its March 30 annual award ceremony scheduled in Auckland.

“Hopefully, this is something we can stage at a later, and more appropriate date but at the moment it would be far too much of a risk to hold the event in a fortnight, as scheduled,” White added.

It follows Cricket Australia's decision to cancel the final round of the Sheffield Shield season in an effort to reduce travel.

CA was yet to decide if the March 27 final will take place as scheduled.

Australia and New Zealand's limited-overs tours have been postponed in the wake of new travel restrictions announced by the New Zealand government.

Australian limited-overs specialist Chris Lynn will head home after guiding Lahore Qalandars to their maiden semi-finals in the Pakistan Super League on Sunday.

“Unfortunately in these circumstances I've chosen to head home. I've always said there is more to life than cricket and this is certainly one of these cases,” Lynn wrote on Instagram after smashing a 52-ball century in an empty Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment