Middlesex return from Oman pre-season tour early as a precaution

Despite being informed that remaining abroad would pose no risk to the staff and decision has been taken to withdraw from the trip

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Middlesex have returned home from their pre-season tour of Oman ahead of schedule as a precautionary measure amid the growing threat of the coronavirus.

The Lord's club were not due back home until March 19 and had been advised they were safe to remain in Western Asia.

But the ever-changing situation regarding COVID-19 which has impacted hugely on global travel has led to the decision to pull the tour.

Furthermore, the club have formed a Coronavirus Risk Management Group which will act on all matters relating to the disease.

"The players have returned early from their pre-season tour in Oman – returning to the UK this morning, several days earlier than planned," a statement read.

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"Whilst all medical advice we received was that remaining in Oman posed no additional threat to the club’s players or staff, we felt that the speed with which the situation is changing across the globe – often hourly, that the welfare of the players and staff in Oman would be better served by them returning early to the UK.

"They landed this morning at Heathrow and will spend some time with their families before returning to their pre-season training preparations at Merchant Taylors’ School."

Confirmation that Middlesex are back on home soil means every county who either left the UK for a pre-season tour or who had planned to go abroad have been forced to change their plans.

Nottinghamshire had not pencilled in an overseas trip into their schedule  - though they have replaced a warm-up match against Northamptonshire with a visit from Lancashire - but the remaining 17 have all had their plans affected.