It wasn’t expected that only four locally acquired cases of Covid-19 could postpone a game of First-Class cricket, but it has happened as Tasmania decided to fly its team back home just ahead of the start of the second Marsh Sheffield Shield 2021-22 game between it and Queensland scheduled to start at Ian Healy Oval in Brisbane at 10 am on Tuesday, September 28.
Queensland Cricket announced the postponement on Twitter and it was backed up by the statements from Tasmania Cricket and Cricket Australia.
However, most of the people associated with Australian cricket believed that the match could have gone on in prevailing conditionals as the only health measure undertaken by the Queensland government is a return to mandatory mask-wearing in indoor settings for those in the Brisbane and Moreton Bay Areas.
"Cricket Tasmania has made the decision to return their Tasmanian Tigers Marsh Sheffield Shield and One-Day squads to Tasmania today. This is not a decision that was taken lightly,” Cricket Tasmania said in a press release.
"While the situation in Queensland hasn't prevented the match from commencing today, a cautious and considered approach is being taken and it is our strong opinion that we are better having our players and staff home as we build a better understanding of the current landscape.
"We look forward to playing the Queensland Bulls at the first opportunity. We thank Queensland Cricket and Cricket Australia for their understanding and flexibility with this match postponement, and we hope that this preventative measure will, with hindsight, not have been required,” the statement added.
CA on its account confirmed that while the Shield match would be rescheduled, the information regarding the List-A game is still to be updated.
"The (Shield) match will be rescheduled to a new date later in the season, following the Tasmanian team's decision to fly home today. Further updates regarding the scheduled Marsh One-Day Cup match between the two sides, due to be played this Sunday, October 3, will be provided in due course,” it said.