The ongoing Big Bash League 2020-21 or BBL 10 saw a huge controversy as Brisbane Heat captain Chris Lynn and their England import Dan Lawrence were found breaching the COVID-19 bio-bubble.
Cricket Australia had said on Monday that they came in 'close contact with members of the public'. Both players have returned negative COVID-19 tests since Saturday.
Since then, Chris Lynn has tendered an apology and conceded that he had a photo with a fan and traveled in a taxi. Both Lynn and Lawrence were, however, allowed to play in Monday's Big Bash League match for Brisbane Heat against Sydney Thunder while maintaining physical distance from other players and officials.
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"I would like to say sorry to my teammates, the club, and the Heat fans for being careless and not observing the protocols that were put in place to ensure the continuity of the competition. Having a photo with a fan at a licensed venue and traveling in a taxi seems pretty low risk but they were identified in our briefings as examples of things you couldn't do,” Lynn was quoted by AAP (Australian Associated Press).
Lynn said he was 'careless' and lulled into a false sense of security.
“I was probably lulled into a false sense of security that because everything has been improving around the country we were getting closer to normal behavior. But the rules, including avoiding close contact, are there to protect the BBL competition and all the players and teams and I do apologize sincerely to everyone for jeopardizing that,” he added.
However, Cricket Australia still fined both players and the franchise for this breach. Both the players had to use a different changing room and also weren't allowed in the team dugout and the team huddle and had to maintain social distancing during on-field celebrations.
"Brisbane Heat has been fined $50,000, with $20,000 suspended for the remainder of the KFC BBL|10 season for a breach of sections 1, 3, 4, and 9 of the COVID-19 Directive for State Associations and W/BBL Teams," a Cricket Australia release stated.
"Lynn and Lawrence have each been issued a report and notice of charge under section 2.23 of the Cricket Australia Code of Conduct, relating to conduct that either (a) is contrary to the Spirit of Cricket; (b) is unbecoming of a representative or official; (c) is or could be harmful to the interests of cricket, or (d) does or could bring the game of cricket into disrepute. Both players have accepted a $10,000 fine, with $4,000 suspended for the remainder of the BBL|10 seasons," the release further said.
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Sean Carroll, Cricket Australia's Head of Integrity & Security, said: "The Code of Conduct charges issued today relate to alleged breaches of protocols that are in place in order to protect our players, officials, staff and the wider community. Potential COVID-19 hotspots and related impacts on State borders remain a challenge for the league and it is imperative that all protocols are adhered to, giving us the best opportunity to move around the country and execute the full schedule."
"Medically, this particular breach was a lower risk, but actions of this kind have the potential to compromise the integrity of and confidence in our bio-security protocols. We'd like to thank Queensland Cricket, the Brisbane Heat, the ACA, and both players for their cooperation throughout this investigation,” he said.
(News 18/ Cricbuzz inputs)
