Phil Whitticase, the match referee who was officiating in the three-match T20I series between England and Sri Lanka, has tested positive for COVID-19. The 56-year-old is asymptomatic and will now isolate for 10 days, the England Cricket Board confirmed. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is now seeking emergency replacements for the ODI series between the two sides to commence on Tuesday in Chester-le-Street not just for Whitticase but for four other officials as well; a total of seven match officials and anti-corruption personnel at the Ageas Bowl have been deemed close contacts, including five who were due to officiate in the ODIs.
They all have been placed in quarantine for 10 days, until July 7. Sri Lanka, who received a 3-0 drubbing in the T20I series by England, are placed at the bottom of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League points table with just one win in 6 matches; they are coming off a 2-1 loss in Bangladesh. England, meanwhile, are second on the table with 4 wins in 9 games; they, too, are coming off a 2-1 loss to India. England beat Sri Lanka in all three T20Is of the series to clinch the trophy and will now host the islanders in a series of 3 ODIs from next week. The matches will be played at Chester-le-Street (June 29), The Oval (July 1) and Bristol (July 4).According to the ICC's website, Chris Broad was due to be the match referee for the first ODI, with Michael Gough and Richard Kettleborough named as umpires.
