Opening Ireland-USA ODI postponed by 24 hours after COVID issues

The opening One-Day International in the Dafabet USA v Ireland Men’s International Series scheduled for Tuesday, December 28, has been pushed back by one day to Wednesday 29 December, due to a small number of new positive COVID cases within the playing and support staff groups.

All of the remaining players and support staff have undergone a full suite of antigen testing this evening, all with negative results. If both teams can complete an additional set of negative testing tomorrow, then the series will proceed with the amended dates of 29 December and 30 December. The final match in the series will remain as scheduled on Thursday 30 December which is a Day/Night fixture with a 2pm start.

The three umpires who were initially deemed as close contacts to the one positive case in the umpiring group have now all tested negative, and these three umpires now await final ICC confirmation to officiate on 29 and 30 December.

Both Boards would like to thank all fans and supporters for their understanding with the issues being experienced, and they would like to sincerely thank all those involved in making the series possible, including broadcasters, sponsors, volunteers, staff and many other stakeholders.

The Ireland-USA fixtures are now as follows:

29 December: USA Men v Ireland Men – 2nd ODI (Florida; start 10am local time)

30 December: USA Men v Ireland Men – 3rd ODI (Florida; start 2pm local time) D/N

Earlier, the opening ODI on Sunday, December 26 had to be cancelled after one of the match officials tested positive for COVID-19. Although one official contracted the coronavirus, the other three were also reported to have come in close contacts. It was also learned that the replacement officials would be arranged in time.

As per reports, the second and third ODI of the three-match series “will go ahead as planned, with an alternative match official group if required”.

United States Cricket had also mentioned that the ticket-holders of the first ODI “may re-use their tickets for any additional match in the series”

Back in December 17, four Irish cricketers and a member of their support staff tested COVID-19 positive. Thereafter, on December 21, as many coronavirus cases were found in the USA camp as well.