The three-match one-day international (ODI) series between England and Sri Lanka will go ahead as planned despite the ICC match referee Phil Whitticase, who was officiating during the three-match T20I series, tested positive for the COVID-19 on Friday (July 25).
England swept the three-match T20I series 3-0 against Sri Lanka on Saturday, while the ODI series will start from Tuesday (June 29) at the Emirates Riverside, Durham amidst the COVID-19 alert caused by Whitticase – who returned positive for the Coronavirus during an RT-PCR test on Friday.
However, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has on Sunday (June 27) confirmed that the upcoming three-match ODI series between England and Sri Lanka will go ahead as planned since no members of the two teams were impacted or identified as close contacts to Whitticase.
The ECB said in a statement: “The England and Wales Cricket Board can confirm that ICC Match Referee Phil Whitticase has tested positive for COVID-19. He is well and is asymptomatic and will observe 10-days of self-isolation from 25 June, in accordance with the UK Government’s protocol on quarantine.”
The statement further reads, “Seven other members from the match officials and anti-corruption unit teams were deemed close contacts, including five members due to officiate at the first Royal London ODI on Tuesday, 29 June at Emirates Riverside, Durham. Those impacted will have to self-isolate for 10-days until 7 July.”
It concluded, “No members of the two teams were impacted. Alternative arrangements will be put in place to ensure Tuesday’s ODI goes ahead as planned.”
(With AFP Inputs)
