'I had one of the four symptoms, so I got tested' - Kane Richardson reacts after escaping Coronavirus threat

The outbreak of coronavirus has taken down many sporting events across the globe. Cricket Australia now has suspended all forms of cricket in the country by cancelling the premier first-class domestic tournament, the Sheffield Shield. Australia pacer Kane Richardson, who was recently tested negative for COVID-19, talked about the situation of his teammates amidst the cancellation of almost all recognized cricket throughout the globe.

Richardson is one of the 17 Australian players who has an IPL contract for the 2020 edition. The 29-year-old pacer has bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore and would have arrived in India after the scheduled Chappell-Hadlee Trophy. After the first ODI in Sydney behind closed doors, Australia and New Zealand boards decided to call off the series. The T20I series which was supposed to be in New Zealand later this month was also cancelled.

‘We’re just waiting to hear’: Kane Richardson awaits IPL 2020

“We’re just waiting to hear. A lot of the blokes have opinions – ‘it’s going to get cancelled’, this and that – but again it can change in a day or a week, so I’ll just sit by the phone and get ready to play for the 15th at the moment – that’s what I’m thinking,” Richardson said during cricket.com.au’s The Unplayable Podcast.

He further said, “Even a week ago we were flying back from South Africa and there was no thought of coronavirus at all in the air or when we got back to the airport. It’s hard to believe we’re sitting here at home with everything being cancelled but when you watch the news and see what’s going on in the world, it’s definitely the right call.”

The right-arm pacer then went on to describe his time in isolation after he was suspected to have caught the virus. Richardson had complained about his sore throat ahead of the first ODI against New Zealand.

“I was at risk because I’d travelled overseas within (the previous) two weeks and I had one of the four symptoms, so that was the reason I got tested. I thought it was all a joke at the time but (the team doctor) was adamant it wasn’t. He spoke to various people on the phone to make sure he was doing the right thing and got the biggest swab I’ve ever seen out and stuck it into the back of my nose and back of my mouth, so it wasn’t a pleasurable experience but that was the protocol so I was happy to go along with it.”

Richardson, who has played 25 ODIs and 18 T20Is for Australia, stated that he is all fine now. “I wasn’t expecting a positive result and thankfully that’s what happened…I’m all good and I got the OK to go outside and in the fresh air again”, a delighted Richardson said.