Australia cancel first match due to coronavirus concerns

The Second XI clash between New South Wales Metro and Victoria in Wollongong, which was due to get underway on Monday, was pulled as a precautionary measure

• Richardson test negative for coronavirus

New South Wales Metro's Second XI clash with Wollongong has become the first cricket match in Australia to be cancelled outright amid fears over the spread of the coronavirus.

The final match of the campaign was due to be staged between March 16-20 at North Dalton Park.

But Cricket Australia have decided that the clash presents too great a risk, given the threat posed by COVID-19.

All matches in the final round of the Sheffield Shield are set to go ahead, however, they will be behind closed doors.

Games at Karen Rolton Oval, Junction Oval and the WACA will be staged without fans.

The five-day final scheduled for March 27-31 is also set to go ahead and there are no plans for that decision to be reversed.

Australia's one-day international series against New Zealand is currently being played behind closed doors.

Aaron Finch's side lead the series 1-0, with matches in Sydney and Hobart still to come.

Meanwhile, the women's tour of South Africa has been suspended.

Subscribe to The Cricketer for exclusive content every day: The inside track on England's Test tour with George Dobell in Pakistan, award-winning analysis, breaking news and interviews and the only place for in-depth county coverage all year round. Plus: An ad-free app experience at your fingertips. Subscribe to thecricketer.com today for just £1.