Cricket Australia cancels end of season, awards title to NSW

All professional cricket has been canceled in Australia in response to coronavirus pandemic, and national organizers are “strongly recommending” that remainder of season be called off at every level right down to children's community games.

Cricket Australia anunced cancellation Tuesday, and declared New South Wales state winner of Sheffield Shield, national firsts-class competition. last round of regular season in Sheffield Shield had already been scrapped and re was prospect of final going ahead as scheduled on March 27. New South Wales won six games, lost two and drew one in Shield, finishing 12 points clear of Victoria state. International cricket series between Australia and New Zealand had already been postponed.

Cricket Australia chief executive Kevin Roberts said measures are aimed at slowing spread of virus.

“By effectively canceling remainder of our season, Cricket Australia is playing its part in protecting fans, players, staff, volunteers and match officials during this unprecedented global health issue,” Roberts said. "se are difficult decisions but right ones in circumstances."

Roberts said Cricket Australia had closed its headquarters in Melbourne and instructed staff to work from home.

National administrators said decision was taken based on expert advice of its chief medical officer and recent government information and “we want to ensure that cricket is doing everything it can to contribute to global effort to slow, and eventually stop, spread of coronavirus.”

move comes nine days after Australia hosted and won Women's Twenty20 World Cup final against India, in front of a crowd of more than 86,000 people at Melbourne Cricket Ground.

spread of virus has escalated in Australia, with season-opening Formula One Grand Prix canceled last weekend in Melbourne and or sports eir suspended, called off or modified.

Most people who come down with disease have relatively mild symptoms, but it can be deadly for some, especially elderly and those with underlying health problems. Most people infected with virus recover in a matter of weeks.