ECB planning for new season to be disrupted by coronavirus but hopeful season "proceeds as normal"

Chief-executive Tom Harrison says the governing body are in contact with broadcast partners as they continue to build contingent plans

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The England and Wales Cricket Board are anticipating an unsettled domestic season amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis which is wreaking the sporting scheduled across the world.

Seven hundred and ninety-eight cases of coronavirus have been detected in the UK, with the government having entered the "delay" phase of its operation to curb the disease.

Hundreds of high-profile sporting events have been cancelled, postponed or significantly altered due to the outbreak of COVID-19, which has been labelled a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation.

England's Test series in Sri Lanka and India's one-day internationals against South Africa are among the high-profile casualties from the calendar, while 11 pre-season county tours have been cancelled.

The UK government expect the spread of the virus to peak in around 12-14 weeks. Contrary to the actions of many nations affected by the epidemic, sporting events or mass gathering have not yet been banned outright.

The County Championship begins on April 12 while the T20 Blast commences on May 28. The Hundred competitions and the One-Day Cup begin in mid-July.

^{The ECB have four formats to fit into what could be a shortened season}

The ECB are anticipating some disruption to the new season and have started building contingency plans for a number of eventualities. Additionally, talks are underway with broadcast partners regarding the possibility of some interference ahead of a summer when four formats will have to be juggled.

"We are undertaking a number of steps to prepare for potential outcomes that an ongoing situation with Covid-19 might bring for the cricket community here in England and Wales," said chief executive Tom Harrison.

"In conjunction with our partners across the network, we are building contingency plans across a number of possible eventualities.

"Our main priorities are to ensure we scope out the landscape for financial, logistical and scheduling implications.

"It is difficult for us to be sure of what outcomes the game might be expected to deal with. Therefore, we will continue to plan for the expectation that the season proceeds as normal, but in parallel prepare for a range of scenarios. 

"These could include the possibility of playing matches behind closed doors or potentially postponing or cancelling elements of the season.

^{Joe Root's England have been forced home from Sri Lanka}

"We continue to enjoy constructive dialogue with DCMS and also our commercial and broadcast partners – who match our ambitions to see the game of cricket thrive in 2020 and beyond. 

"We are certain that jointly, we will all come to solutions that best protect those who love cricket, and the game itself."

While the government has yet to outlaw major events - the UK's chief science adviser Sir Patrick Vallance had urged against such a move - several sports have taken it upon themselves to protect their athletes from the spread of the coronavirus.

Premier League, Football League, FA Cup and England international football matches have been postponed until April 4. Uefa have suspended their Champions League and Europa League competitions and discussions are ongoing regarding the European Championships which are scheduled to take place this summer and are due to partly hosted in England.

The final round of rugby's Six Nations Championship has been delayed though no decision has been made over the regular domestic season. The Premiership Rugby Cup final between Sale and Harlequins has been called off.

The 2020 Formula One season has been delayed until at least May, with the Australian, Chinese, Bahrain and Vietnam Grand Prix races all cancelled.

The Masters, golf's biggest tournament held at Augusta National next month (April 9-12), has been postponed while no professional tennis tournament will be played before April 20.

Meanwhile, the London Marathon has been put back from April 26 to October 4.