New Zealand's Lockie Ferguson reports sore throat, placed in isolation due to Coronavirus scare

The whole world has been hit by a major blow after the outbreak of life-threatening Covid-19, commonly known as Coronavirus. The spread of the virus has instilled a fear in the minds of every individual across the globe and many sporting events have been affected due to its proliferation.

The much-awaited IPL 2020 has also been postponed due to the outburst of Coronavirus. Furthermore, the BCCI has also decided to cancel the remaining two ODIs between India and South Africa. Many other cricketing events such as PSL 2020, England-Sri Lanka Test series, Road Safety World Series, Asia XI vs World XI T20Is have been postponed or cancelled due to the increasing threat of Coronavirus.

The first One-day International between Australia and New Zealand was also played in an empty SCG stadium where the hosts registered a convincing 71-run victory against the Proteas. Prior to the match, Australian pacer Kane Richardson was tested for Coronavirus. However, he was tested negative and he was drafted back to the squad. Following the match, another pacer– Lockie Ferguson has the threat of Coronavirus looming over his head.

Lockie Ferguson scalped two wickets in the first ODI against Australia

The New Zealand speedster has been placed in isolation after reporting a sore throat after the culmination of first ODI. Ferguson is being tested for the Coronavirus and the results are yet to be awaited.

NEWS ALERT: Lockie Ferguson has been placed in isolation after reporting a sore throat following the 1st #AUSvNZ ODI. He was tested for COVID-19 and results are awaited. #CoronavirusPandemic

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) March 13, 2020

The 28-year-old scalped two wickets in his spell in the first ODI and scalped the prized wickets of David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne. Following the trend, the ODI series is also under the threat of cancellation if Ferguson tests positive for the Coronavirus.

Coming on to the first ODI, the Kiwis were unable to hunt down a 259-run target as they succumbed to the bowling of Starc and Marsh. Both, Mitchell Marsh and Mitchell Starc scalped three wickets each to curb New Zealand’s run-flow as the hosts claimed their second ODI win of the year.

If the series does not get cancelled or postponed, the second ODI of the three-match series is slated to be played behind closed doors at the SCG on 15th March, followed by the third ODI at Bellerive Oval on 20th March.