Sussex to return home from Cape Town pre-season tour over coronavirus travel restriction concerns

Jason Gillespie's side become the 13th county to pull an overseas trip ahead of the new season which is due to get underway on April 12

• How county pre-season plans have been affected by COVID-19
• County ins and outs

Sussex have cut-short their pre-season tour in Cape Town amid concerns created by the coronavirus pandemic.

The decision was made in light of the strict global travel restrictions which are being enforced as part of the effort to limit the spread of the virus.

None of the squad or staff have displayed symptoms relating to COVID-19 yet the remainder of the trip has been pulled.

“We have been monitoring the fast-moving situation regarding Coronavirus prior to and during the tour and, with travel restrictions increasing, we’ve made the decision to return to the UK at the earliest opportunity," said performance director Keith Greenfield.

“This is obviously disappointing, but – as ever - the wellbeing of our players and staff is our number one priority.”

The Hove side become the 13th county to cancel or fly home early from a winter tour.

Derbyshire, Essex, Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Kent, Lancashire, Somerset, Surrey, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Yorkshire have already been forced to alter their plans.

Jason Gillespie's side arrived on March 9 an were due to play fixtures against Cardiff MCCU and Loughborough MCCU before coming home on March 21.