Ireland suspends elite men's training after player tests positive for Covid-19

Player was using one of four training hubs, but had been in close contact with players using other hubs

Ireland has temporarily suspended elite men’s training sessions after a player registered a positive test for Covid-19.

Cricket Ireland said that the player, who was not named, had only been using one of four training hubs, but he had been in close contact with players using other training hubs and sessions had been halted across the country as a precaution in line with Covid-19 protocols.

Richard Holdsworth, Cricket Ireland’s High Performance Director, said the action was taken as soon as the governing body was notified of the result and the player would be re-tested to ensure it was not a false positive.

“While the player was only using one of our four training hubs, he had been a close contact with players using other training hubs – so out of an abundance of caution we have stopped training for a few days across all hubs while tests are undertaken” Holdsworth said in a statement.

“We have a busy period of cricket in May, and World Cup Super League matches set for early June, so it’s vital that we provide our senior players with as much time outdoors training as we can. However, this will not come at the risk to their health and safety, and that of their families or close contacts. We will provide an update on the player’s condition and training status in due course.”

Ireland’s next international fixtures are scheduled for early June with three ODIs in the Netherlands before hosting South Africa for three ODIs and three T20Is in July.