Tim Paine praises Cricket Australia for taking action and urges public to put cricket into perspective

The national governing body has “strongly recommended” that all amateur cricket should be terminated, including both community and premier cricket

Australia captain Tim Paine has praised the response of Cricket Australia to the coronavirus pandemic, after New South Wales were declared Sheffield Shield champions without a final going ahead.

The decision on Tuesday followed an announcement on Sunday that the final round of the Sheffield Shield season had been cancelled in an effort to reduce travel.

New South Wales won six, lost two and drew one of their matches this season for a total of 50.76 points. The next best team was Victoria with three wins, three losses and three draws for 38.53 points.

The news came as part of a wider announcement from Cricket Australia as the sport prepares to shut down in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

The national governing body has “strongly recommended” that all amateur cricket should be terminated, including both community and premier cricket.

Paine, speaking in a video that was released on Twitter by the national governing body, urged the public to put the sport into perspective.

“As hard as it is for all cricketers at the moment, I think it is time that we take a break,” he said. “I know it's even harder this time of year when you've got finals and trophies are on the line and it's all there to be won but this is bigger than us, bigger than the game of cricket but it's something that needs to be taken very seriously.

“I hope that we're all back playing the game we love and going about our lives the way we want to as soon as possible but, in the meantime, please take care of yourselves, take care of others and let's ride this out together.”

New South Wales declared Sheffield Shield champions as Australia calls off cricket

Australia’s three-match ODI series against New Zealand was abandoned after the first game which, itself, was played behind closed doors. The following T20I series was also postponed.

The women’s side – T20 world champions less than a fortnight ago – have had their tour of South Africa postponed.

“There's no doubt it's been a big week for our cricket community and a really big time for all Australians,” Paine added. “Some decisions have been made in the best interests of our country and our most vulnerable people.

“Those decisions certainly weren’t made lightly and they were made based on the best possible advice of our government and health experts. One of those decisions has been to cancel all cricket. I realise that's tough but it's something we should all take very seriously.

“I would certainly love to be playing with Tasmania right now in the hunt for a Sheffield Shield final and there's no doubt our Australian men's team would love to be in Hobart trying to win the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy and certainly our female world champion team would love to be in South Africa. But we're not, and for very very good reason.”