Lockie Ferguson Tested Negative For Coronavirus

In a major relief, New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson has been tested negative for coronavirus. The development was confirmed via a tweet by Cricket Australia.

“Lockie Ferguson has been cleared of #COVID19 and will return home to New Zealand on Sunday morning,” Cricket Australia said in a statement. 

ALL CLEAR: Lockie Ferguson has been cleared of #COVID19 and will return home to New Zealand on Sunday morning. pic.twitter.com/sVJglELvOf

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 14, 2020

Lockie Ferguson complained about sore throat

Lockie Ferguson had been placed into isolation after suffering a sore throat following Friday’s one-day international against Australia.

Ferguson has undergone tests on the ailment following the 71-run loss, given his international travel from New Zealand in the past week.

Among the cricketers, Ferguson is the second case after Australian quick Kane Richardson to be tested negative for coronavirus.

Lockie Ferguson had been placed under isolation

As a precautionary measure, Lockie Ferguson had followed the steps to get himself tested, confirmed a New Zealand cricket spokesperson.

“In accordance with recommended health protocols, Lockie Ferguson has been placed in isolation at the team hotel for the next 24 hours after reporting a sore throat at the end of the first ODI,” a New Zealand Cricket spokesman said.

“Once the test results are received and diagnosed, his return to the team can be determined.”

Meanwhile, the Australia vs New Zealand ODI series was called off due to coronavirus scare. In other parts of the world, the India vs South Africa series will be re-scheduled, the IPL 2020 has been deferred to April 15 from the original starting date of March 29 while England’s tour to Sri Lanka had been called off.

The BCCI will hold a meeting on Saturday to discuss primary concerns about the IPL. They have set a deadline of April 20 and if the tournament is not cleared off till then it might well be cancelled, keeping the health of people as the primary concern.

In case the tournament is called off, BCCI may incur a loss of Rs.10,000 crore.