USA-Ireland series in doubt after second ODI postponed

A match official tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of the first ODI. Further positive cases have now been reported within the playing and support staff groups

Ireland’s ODI series against the USA is in doubt after the second match of the three-match series, scheduled for December 28, was postponed due to Covid-19.

The first ODI, which was due to be played on December 26, was cancelled after a match official tested positive for Covid-19 and the three other members of the officiating team were identified as close contacts. All three have since tested negative.

However, additional positive cases have now been reported within the playing and support staff groups, forcing the postponement of the second ODI.

With Ireland due to leave the USA on December 31, the match has been pushed back to December 29. The final ODI scheduled for December 30. Both matches will be played in Lauderhill, Florida.

^{Gareth Delany was among the players to test positive for Covid-19 earlier in the tour [Idranil Mukherjee/Getty Images]}

In a joint statement, Cricket Ireland and USA Cricket said: "The opening ODI in the Dafabet USA v Ireland Men’s international series scheduled for Tuesday, December 28, has been pushed back by one day to Wednesday, December 29, due to a small number of new positive Covid cases within the playing and support staff groups.

"All of the remaining players and support staff have undergone a full suite of antigen testing this evening, all with negative results. If both teams can complete an additional set of negative testing tomorrow, then the series will proceed with the amended dates of December 29 and December 30. The final match in the series will remain as scheduled on Thursday, December 30 which is a day/night fixture with a 2pm start.

"The three umpires who were initially deemed as close contacts to the one positive case in the umpiring group have now all tested negative, and these three umpires now await final ICC confirmation to officiate on December 29 and 30."

The postponement is the latest Covid-19 setback to hit Ireland’s tour. Five Irish players – Craig Young, Harry Tector, Gareth Delany, Barry McCarthy and George Dockrell – and assistant coach Gary Wilson have all tested positive at various points while four cases were reported in the USA camp on December 21.

Earlier in December the two sides contested a two-match T20I series which ended 1-1.

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