Northants-Gloucestershire T20 Blast match to go ahead after players test negative for COVID-19

The Bob Willis Trophy match between the two sides was abandoned at lunch on day one after an unnamed player returned a positive result for coronavirus

• Gloucestershire-Northants abandoned after COVID-19 positive

Northamptonshire and Gloucestershire's upcoming T20 Blast clash will go ahead after three players returned negative tests for coronavirus.

The Bob Willis Trophy match between the two sides at Bristol was abandoned at lunch on day one after it emerged an unnamed Northants player, not involved in the matchday squad, had tested positive.

A trio of players who came into contact with him have since tested negative for COVID-19 but under ECB and government guidelines must self-isolate for a 10-day period.

They are not permitted to return to action until Tuesday, September 15. But due to the tests being returned as negative, this week's fixture have been permitted to go ahead.

An ECB statement added: "Ensuring the health and safety of players, staff and officials has been the priority for the ECB and First-Class Counties since the Bob Willis Trophy match at Bristol was abandoned on Sunday due to a COVID-19 related issue."

The Steelbacks host Gloucestershire on Friday (September 11) at Wantage Road, before travelling to Glamorgan on Sunday.

Furthermore, the ECB have agreed that following the abandonment of the first-class match both teams will be awarded eight points, plus any bonus points they accumulated during the one and only session of play.

That leaves Northamptonshire on 49 points and Gloucestershire on 45 in the Central Group, which was won by finalists Somerset.

For unrivalled coverage of the county season, subscribe to The Cricketer and receive 3 issues for £5