Top Stories: Things that made news in the cricket world today

Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara react after Road Safety World Series gets postponed due to Covid-19

• The ongoing threat of the pandemic that is the novel Coronavirus has put a screeching halt to the sporting events around the world.
• Most of the global events including La Liga and the NBA has been put on hold.
• (Read more about the story)

PCB changes PSL 2020 playoffs into semi-finals; final now to be held on March 18

• Under the growing concerns over the coronavirus threat, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to cut short the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2020.
• On Friday, the board made some quick changes in the tournament’s format whereby the playoffs were substituted with the traditional semi-finals and now, the final will be played on March 18 instead of 22.
• (Read more about the story)

Kane Richardson tests negative for Coronavirus, joins the Australian squad

• Kane Richardson, the right-hand fast bowler from Australia was tested for the Coronavirus after returning home from South Africa. It was a major blow for the Australian side, who were scheduled to play the first ODI of the three-match series against New Zealand.
• Now, the reports of the test are out and the pacer has been tested negative. It would have given a sigh of relief for all the Aussie players to see Richardson back in their squad.
• (Read more about the story)

‘Our advice would be to not do IPL 2020 at this time’ – Ministry of External Affairs amid Coronavirus threat

• The coronavirus threat has become a big roadblock in various sporting events taking place in front of spectators.
• Governments of various countries have issued directives against mass public gathering at one place, including stadiums.
• (Read more about the story)

Australia Women tour of South Africa cancelled in the wake of Covid-19

• In the wake of the alarming situation caused by the pandemic that is the novel coronavirus, Australia Women’s tour of South Africa has been postponed, becoming the first cricket tournament to be suspended.
• The newly crowned T20 World champions Australia were set to travel to South Africa for the very first time and were scheduled to play three One-day Internationals and as many T2oIs from March 22, but the tour will no longer go ahead as the world grapples with COVID-19.
• (Read more about the story)

With no fans to cheer, David Warner notches up his 21st half-century at the SCG against New Zealand

• Who would have thought that a One-day International between home side Australia and their Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand will be played at an empty Sydney Cricket Ground?
• But, unfortunately, that is the reality of the times that we live in. The rising threat of the pandemic that is the novel Coronavirus has had a significant impact on all facets of life. And, sports is one of them.
• (Read more about the story)

Jaydev Unadkat runs out Bengal’s Akash Deep in a bizarre way during Ranji Trophy final

• The Bengal side, after making their way into the finals of the Ranji Trophy 2019-2020, seemed confident enough to take on Saurashtra. Leading Saurashtra, Jaydev Unadkat did produce a magical moment in the game by sending Bengal’s Akash Deep to the pavilion for a duck.
• This incident took place during the first innings of Bengal. Trailing by 425 runs, the Bengal side was set up to give a good fightback.
• (Read more about the story)

Reports: IPL may take a financial hit of 10,000 crores if it gets cancelled this year

• Indian Premier League 2020 is approaching fast and the voices are being raised by the state governments in India that this edition of the cash-rich league would be postponed due to the severe threat of Coronavirus.
• The sports industry has dealt a massive blow after Coronavirus came into the picture. The events have been cancelled and postponed after the disease has taken several lives across the globe.
• (Read more about the story)

Sri Lanka-England Test series postponed in the wake of the Coronavirus threat

• International sport has come to a standstill in the wake of the rising pandemic that is the novel Coronavirus.
• Most of the tournaments around the world including the NBA and La Liga have been either postponed or suspended for an indefinite period, while some- India-South Africa and Australia-New Zealand ODI series- are scheduled to be played inside closed doors.
• (Read more about the story)

BCB likely to cancel their Pakistan tour after the Coronavirus outbreak

• The spread of Corona Virus has impacted World cricket in a way that no one had ever imagined.
• The Road Safety World series has now been cancelled and is likely to be rescheduled until further notice. India-South Africa ODI series won’t see any spectators during the matches while the Chappell Hadlee Trophy in Australia has also followed the suit.
• (Read more about the story)