The three-match One-Day International (ODI) series between the United States of America (USA) and Ireland has been canceled due to COVID-19 related concerns on Wednesday (December 29).
USA Cricket and Cricket Ireland have jointly agreed to the cancellation of the ODI for everyone’s safety and health after two players were found in close contact with the COVID-19 case.
Now, the USA players and support staff will travel back to their respective homes and leave the bio-bubble as soon as possible.
Cricket Ireland said in a statement: “While all players in both current playing squads have returned negative COVID results overnight, two members of the Irish support staff have tested positive, as well as several partners of players, resulting in two of the Irish players being deemed as close contacts.”
The official statement added: “The ODI series had earlier been interrupted by COVID cases detected among members of the USA squad and umpires for the series, and as such the risks and concerns about further spread have meant that both boards have regrettably agreed to cancel the remaining two scheduled matches.”
Meanwhile, USA Cricket wrote on Twitter: “We are all devastated at today's news of the cancellation of the ODI Series Our huge thanks to everyone at Cricket Ireland, all of the fans who turned out in record numbers during the T20I series, and to all our players, volunteers, staff & stakeholders for supporting the series.”
Notably, the Ireland team is scheduled to depart Florida for Kingston, Jamaica on 31 December for three ODIs and one-off T20I against West Indies with the first ODI scheduled on January 8, 2022.
However, the two COVID-19 positive members of the Ireland support staff will have to complete their isolation in Florida before their onward travel arrangements are finalized.
(With ANI Inputs)
