The match referee for England’s IT20 series against Sri Lanka is self-isolating after a positive Covid-19 test… but Eoin Morgan’s men will play the same opponents on Tuesday as no players on either team are close contacts
- Match referee Phil Whitticase tested positive on Friday after taking a PCR test
- Whitticase was told to self-isolate immediately for 10 days after the positive test
- Seven other people have been deemed close contacts and must also self-isolate
- However, new officials will be found ahead of Tuesday’s opening ODI in Durham
- England wrapped up a 3-0 IT20 series victory against Sri Lanka on Saturday
- Eoin Morgan’s men then play Sri Lanka in two more ODIs on July 1 and July 4
England’s one-day international against Sri Lanka on Tuesday in Durham will go ahead as planned despite a Covid-19 alert caused by a positive test for match referee Phil Whitticase.
Whitticase served for the three-match T20 series between the sides, which concluded on Saturday, but was found to be carrying the virus during a PCR test completed on Friday.
No players or backroom staff have been identified as close contacts and all are free to contest the next game as planned, but seven other individuals from the officiating and anti-corruption teams have been instructed to self-isolate for 10 days.
England are still due to play Sri Lanka despite the match referee’s positive Covid-19 test
Phil Whitticase is asymptomatic – but is observing a 10-day quarantine period from June 25
Seven other people were deemed a close contact of Whitticase and must also self-isolate
That will mean some last-minute changes to the personnel involved, but an England and Wales Cricket Board statement confirmed that would be taken care of with no impact on the series.
A statement issued by the ECB read: ‘Following a PCR test administered on Friday 25 June at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton, the England and Wales Cricket Board can confirm that ICC match referee Phil Whitticase has tested positive for COVID-19.
‘Whitticase, who was officiating during the three-match Vitality IT20 Series between England and Sri Lanka, is well and is asymptomatic.
‘He will now observe a period of 10 days of self-isolation from 25 June, in accordance with the UK Government’s protocol on quarantine.
‘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.
‘No members of the two teams were impacted. Alternative arrangements will be put in place to ensure Tuesday’s ODI goes ahead as planned.’
Dawid Malan hit 76 as England sealed a 3-0 IT20 series win over Sri Lanka in Southampton
Eoin Morgan’s men then play six matches against Sri Lanka before a Test series against India
England won their IT20 series against Sri Lanka 3-0 this month and after the opening ODI in the north-east, England face Mickey Arthur’s men in two more 50-over matches at The Oval on July 1 and The Bristol County Ground on July 4.
ODIs against Pakistan on July 8, July 10 and July 13 follow at Sophia Gardens, Lord’s and Edgbaston respectively, before T20 matches against the same opponents on July 16, July 18 and July 20.
Joe Root’s men then face India in a five-match Test series on home soil across August and September.
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