Sheffield Shield final in doubt after last round of matches are cancelled

Cricket Australia are yet to make a decision over the climax to the competition which has been called off for the first time since 2014

• Australia-New Zealand ODI and T20 series postponed
• Second XI clash cancelled

The finale to the Sheffield Shield has been thrown into deep uncertainty after the last round of regular-season matches were cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak.

South Australia's clash with Queensland, New South Wales Blues' contest against Western Australia and Victoria's home game against Tasmania, all of which were set to be played behind closed doors, have been culled from the schedule.

Not since the death of Phil Hughes in 2014 has a round of the four-day competition been cancelled. The decision has understood to have been taken to limit the travel undertaken by players and officials.

Cricket Australia have yet to make a decision over the five-day final of the Shield, which is due to be hosted by table-topping NSW in Wollongong and staged between March 27-31.

"At times like this, cricket must take a back seat for the greater good," said CA chief executive Kevin Roberts.

"We have been in consultation with relevant government agencies, our own medical team and an infectious diseases expert for quite some time now, and we have taken all their advice into account in making these decisions.

Coronavirus and cricket: Tours and competitions postponed, cancelled or affected by COVID-19

"In recent days, it has become evident that we must play our part in helping limit the spread of the virus by reducing person-to-person contact wherever possible. These measures reflect that.

"The decisions made this week are not something we are accustomed to in cricket. But by making them, we hope we can contribute to the global effort to slow, and eventually stop, the spread of coronavirus."

The decision comes after the remaining two matches of Australia and New Zealand's one-day international series was postponed amid the increasing threat of COVID-19.

The T20I series between the two nations set for later this month has also been delayed after the Kiwi government imposed emergency travel measures.

CA have also postponed an Australia Under-19 tour of South Arica and the Indigenous team's T20 tour of New Zealand.

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