Kent to return early from Potchefstroom trip due to COVID-19 outbreak

The club flew out to South Africa on Tuesday, but will now return to England to complete pre-season preparations on home soil

• Coronavirus and cricket: Tours and competitions postponed, cancelled and affected by Covid-19

Kent have opted to return home from South Africa in light of the coronavirus outbreak, four days after the club flew out to Potchefstroom.

The county initially planned to remain at their camp. Kent had told The Cricketer that guidance had shown no rationale in closing or cancelling sporting events. However, after monitoring the situation and remaining in discussions with the ECB, World Health Organisation and the authorities of the UK and South Africa, the decision has been taken for the club to return to England.

A club statement declared: “We remain in close contact with our governing body, the ECB, and we continue to receive regular guidance from Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS).

“The health and safety of our staff, players, coaches, members and visitors remains our top priority.

“In light of this, the decision has been made to return all Kent Cricket personnel to the UK from their pre-season tour of South Africa this weekend.

“This is the right decision for our players and support staff as the Club exercises its duty of care over its staff.

“Visitors to the club are reminded of NHS England’s current guidelines to avoid close contact by staying indoors and avoiding contact with other people if they have had contact with those returning from high-risk areas, or if they experience symptoms themselves.”

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.