SOMERSET County Cricket Club have cancelled their planned pre-season tour to Abu Dhabi because of the Coronavirus outbreak, writes Richard Walsh.

Players and staff were set to depart on Sunday for the tour, which consisted of warm weather training plus a number of different format matches against Essex and Worcestershire, before returning on March 29.

But following discussions with major stakeholders and considering the pace of daily developments, the decision has been taken to withdraw from the tour.

Director of Cricket Andy Hurry said the move had not been made lightly. “We have been monitoring the situation on a daily basis over the last couple of weeks, ensuring that we didn’t lose sight of the value and benefit that preparing for the season on grass overseas would give us,” he said.

“We have endeavoured to give ourselves as much time as possible to make this best-informed decision, allowing us to consider our position as more information has become available on a daily basis. Obviously, the health and well-being of our players, support staff and their families are of the highest importance.

“Although Abu Dhabi has appropriate protocols in place, the change of the national state from ‘Contain’ to ‘Delay’ coupled with the potential escalation of any isolation process for those returning to the UK have become key factors in the decision-making process.

“Any imposed period of inactivity due to isolation of our players and staff would certainly adversely impact our pre-season preparation and potentially some early season fixtures.”