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The move to delay the spread of coronavirus will see the Australian men's cricket team's ODI series against New Zealand take place behind closed doors.
Key points:
- The global coronavirus pandemic has led to more than 130,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide
- Sporting bodies are having to assess their response to the outbreak, and whether to cancel or suspend competitions or continue behind closed doors
- Australia's men's cricketers will still play their one-day international series against New Zealand, but fans will not be allowed at the ground
Cricket Australia announced on Friday that the three-match series would go ahead, but that fans would not be admitted into the venue.
Australia and New Zealand will now play two matches in an empty Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday and Sunday, with a third match scheduled for next Friday at Hobart's Bellerive Oval.
Fans who have bought tickets will be eligible for a full refund.
"A decision will be made in due course regarding Australia's three-match Twenty20 International tour of New Zealand," Cricket Australia said in a statement.
That series is scheduled for matches in Dunedin (March 24), Auckland (March 27) and Christchurch (March 29).
"Cricket Australia will continue to monitor the coronavirus situation at home and overseas before making a decision on Australian men's international matches beyond the Australian leg of the ODI tournament," Cricket Australia said.
CA also announced that the Australian women's cricket team's limited-over tour of South Africa would not go ahead.
Australia — fresh from winning the T20 World Cup final against India last weekend — was due to play three ODIs and three T20Is against South Africa beginning with a 50-over match in Durban on March 22.
Andrews 'not in a position' to confirm AFL go-ahead
Australian sporting authorities are all having to assess how they respond to the coronavirus.
The NRL season began last night with Parramatta defeating Canterbury Bulldogs 8-2 at Parramatta Stadium in front of a crowd of 21,363.
The AFL competition is due to kick off next Thursday, with Richmond playing Carlton at the MCG.
Last year, the equivalent fixture drew a crowd of 85,716.
However Victorian premier Daniel Andrews has warned he cannot yet confirm whether AFL games will proceed as the state and league grapple with issues of public health.
Mr Andrews said "detailed discussions" were ongoing with AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan and others over the impact of the coronavirus.
"They [the AFL] are going to have to confront some of the issues as well — whether they proceed [with games], and if they do, whether they can have fans," he said.
"I know it is frustrating not to be able to tell you whether there will be footy next week.
"I'm not in a position to do that. I have been clear all week this [coronavirus] would be disruptive.
"We will be asking things of Victorians and, indeed, of Australians things they have never been asked before. That is very frustrating.
"You have got to be guided by the advice and nature of the pandemic as the advice changes rapidly."
Racing NSW to allow public to Group I meeting
Horseracing fans will still be allowed to attend the Group I Coolmore Classic meeting at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
Shortly after Prime Minister Scott Morrison issued a statement saying gatherings of more than 500 people would be banned from Monday onwards, Racing NSW said it would act in line with that advice.
"Racing NSW refers to the advice received from the Commonwealth and NSW Governments that they are moving towards restricting public gatherings of over 500 people from Monday, 16 March 2020 but that there are no restrictions in respect of such gatherings over the weekend," Racing NSW said in a statement.
"Consistent with that advice, thoroughbred race meetings in New South Wales on Saturday, 14 March 2020 and Sunday, 15 March 2020 will remain open to the public.
"However, Racing NSW urges people to be conscious of the health and welfare of themselves and others at all times."
In Victoria, the All Star Mile meeting at Caulfield is currently expected to go ahead but whether crowds can attend remains uncertain.
Victoria racing industry site Racing.com reported that "crowds and owners are likely to be shut out" but there was no official word from Racing Victoria despite requests for comment.
World Surf League cancels Gold Coast event
Surfing has also been affected, with the World Surf League deciding to cancel all events for the rest of March, including the opening event of the year in the men's Championship Tour, scheduled for Snapper Rocks on the Gold Coast from March 26.
"We did not take this decision lightly as we are aware that it has a significant impact on the surfing community," the WSL said in a statement.
"However, the health and safety of our athletes, fans, and staff are paramount. From the standpoint of social responsibility, we also take very seriously the role our events might play in accelerating the spread of the virus.
"We've been in close contact with our athletes and we feel strongly that this is the right thing to do right now."
The WSL said it was "closely monitoring and evaluating the status" of upcoming events, including the next Championship Tour event at Bells Beach in Victoria.
Topics: infectious-diseases-other, sport, cricket, onedayseries, respiratory-diseases, sydney-2000, nsw, hobart-7000, tas, australia, new-zealand
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