Lockie Ferguson tests negative for Coronavirus; free to travel back to New Zealand

The whole world has been reeling under the effects of the deadly COVID-19, commonly known as Coronavirus effects. More than 140,000 people have tested positive for the deadly disease with over 5,400 deaths occurring. However, there have been over 72,000 patients of this virus recovering from it as well.

The worse hit countries have been China, where the virus originated, having 80,000 cases, Italy having 17,600 cases and Iran having more than 11,000 cases as per metrics of worldometers.info. The deadly virus has also interrupted the cricketing ties in the whole world as well. England’s tour to Sri Lanka has been cancelled, while South Africa has postponed their ODI series in India. Also, the start of the IPL has been postponed to April 15.

Amidst this, New Zealand has also decided to return home from Australia after their government-issued a ban on entry and exit from the country amidst the outbreak of this deadly disease. Australia had won the first of the three ODIs in an empty Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). However, there was a threat of the virus affecting one of New Zealand’s cricketers after the match.

Lockie Ferguson placed in isolation; tests negative

Fast bowler Lockie Ferguson, who returned to international cricket after a lengthy injury layoff, complained of a sore throat at the end of the first ODI at the SCG and was placed in isolation in the team hotel for the next 24 hours. Ferguson underwent on the ailment following the 71-run loss, given his international travel from New Zealand in the past week.

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

The statement further read– “Once the test results are received and diagnosed, his return to the team can be determined.” However, in good news, Ferguson’s tests for coronavirus came back negative after staying in isolation and he is scheduled to follow his teammates back to his home country, as per reports of foxsports.com.au.

Earlier, Australia fast bowler Kane Richardson missed the first ODI after he complained of being unwell after returning with the Australian team from South Africa earlier this week. He was sent for precautionary novel COVID-19 testing. He was cleared of the coronavirus after testing.

The remaining two ODI matches and the T20I series between the two sides were postponed to a later date due to the increasing threat of coronavirus. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared coronavirus outbreak a pandemic, sporting events throughout the world have suffered massively.