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Heat's Lynn investigated for COVID breach

3 minute read

Cricket Australia is investigating a COVID-19 protocol breach involving Brisbane Heat captain Chris Lynn ahead of the team's BBL clash in Canberra.

CHRIS LYNN.
CHRIS LYNN. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Brisbane Heat captain Chris Lynn will be forced to distance himself from teammates but can still play in Monday night's BBL game after breaching the tournament's COVID-19 protocols.

Lynn and teammate Dan Lawrence have been given the go-ahead to play against the Sydney Thunder at Canberra's Manuka Oval despite having close contact with members of the public in the ACT on Saturday.

News Corp are reporting the incident in question relates to a night out.

The pair have returned negative COVID-19 tests since Saturday, but Cricket Australia is still trying to determine the extent of their breaches and the investigation remains on-going.

Possible sanctions will be announced at a later date.

Lynn, the Heat's most important batsmen, and Englishman Lawrence will be in the bizarre situation of having to sit apart from other teammates when they face the Thunder.

Brisbane were comprehensively beaten in their BBL opener against the Melbourne Stars on Friday night.

CA insist physical distancing requirements have been trialled in BBL practice matches, where players were "both inside and outside Hub isolation protocols".

"We're confident this will be successfully achieved," CA's chief medical officer John Orchard said.

"They must maintain a physical distance on and particularly off the field (indoors) with teammates, opposing players, staff and match officials.

"We have protocols in place for all matches for interaction between those inside and outside the Hub.

"Factors including the outdoor nature of the contest, the generally socially distanced nature of cricket on-field and the fact Canberra is considered a low-risk city."

While minor, it is cricket's first protocol breach of the summer after the WBBL tournament was played without incident.

Australia have battled India in two white-ball series and the countries will begin their blockbuster four-Test series in Adelaide on Thursday.

International players are forced to abide by even tighter restrictions than those featuring in the BBL.

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