Derbyshire’s Vitality Blast fixtures away to Northants Steelbacks (16 July) and at home to Yorkshire Vikings (18 July) have been cancelled by the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
Following Monday’s announcement that an unnamed member of the Derbyshire playing squad had tested positive for COVID-19 in a lateral flow test, the Club can now confirm the subsequent PCR test has returned the same result.
As such, 14 members of the Vitality Blast squad which travelled to Durham on Friday 9 July will observe a ten-day self-isolation period, having been deemed to be close contacts. At this stage, no other member of the playing or coaching staff regarded as a close contact has returned a positive result or displayed symptoms of COVID-19.
A further six Derbyshire players remain side-lined through injury and due to the unavailability of 20 squad members, the ECB has determined that Derbyshire is unable to field a team of a strength appropriate to maintain the integrity of the two remaining group matches and of the competition as a whole.
Under Playing Condition 16.11.4.5 The North Group will, therefore, be decided on an average points per completed match basis.
The ECB has also confirmed the points allocation from the abandoned LV= Insurance County Championship match between Derbyshire and Essex.
The match is treated as a draw and in accordance with Playing Condition 16.2.3, both teams have been awarded eight points for a draw plus the bonus points they had accrued before the match was abandoned; Essex (11), Derbyshire (9).
Tickets purchased for the Yorkshire Vikings fixture will be refunded and spectators do not need to contact the Club for refunds to be actioned. This includes 2020 buyers who deferred their tickets to 2021, as a full refund of your original purchase will be issued.
Derbyshire’s National County 50-over fixture versus Shropshire, scheduled to take place on Tuesday 20 July at The Incora County Ground has also been cancelled.
Chief Executive, Ryan Duckett, said: “This demonstrates how easily the knock-on effects from an isolated case can impact a squad and it is unfortunate that, in the one instance in which the Club has used a coach to travel to an away fixture, the regular testing returns a positive result and all 14 players on the coach are required to self-isolate.
“It is a disappointing situation for Members and supporters, but safety on and off the field must always come first and I’m grateful for the understanding shown by all of the counties involved, as well as the ECB and the public health team at Derby City Council for their continued guidance.
“The Club’s Medical Staff will remain in close contact with all those players who are self-isolating and I would once again like to thank everyone involved in maintaining the safety of players, staff and spectators at Derbyshire.”
