The fast-spreading Coronavirus has alarmed various cricket boards regarding their players’ health, especially when the cricketers are supposed to travel in other nations for either bilateral series or any other league.
Recently, England captain Joe Root announced a ‘No handshake’ policy on their tour to Sri Lanka due to the deadly virus threat. Now, the New Zealand Cricket Board (NZC) has come up with an advisory for its players, including those six who will play in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL), which begins from March 29.
“All New Zealand players, men, and women, are being updated on latest developments, including best practice and preventive measures, as new information comes to hand,” NZC Head of Public Affairs Richard Boock said in a statement to PTI.
As per media reports, 29 positive cases have been reported so far in India, including 16 Italian tourists.
Boock also revealed that NZC is in continuous touch with the country’s health, foreign affairs, and sports ministry in order to get regular updates
“NZC is in constant communication with its chief medical officer, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Ministry of Health, and Sport NZ, and is monitoring updates from the World Health Organisation to ensure compliance with best practice,” Boock stated.
The six Kiwi players, who will take part in the IPL are Jimmy Neesham (Kings XI Punjab), Lockie Ferguson (Kolkata Knight Riders), Kane Williamson (Sunrisers Hyderabad), Mitchell Santner (Chennai Super Kings), and the duo of Mitchell McClenaghan and Trent Boult (Mumbai Indians).
