ULLADULLA Matthew Gilkes and his NSW Blues will lift the Sheffield Shield trophy this season, however they won't be doing it in Wollongong as many had hoped.
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North Dalton Park was slated to host the competition's final, commencing next Friday, with NSW hot favourites after a dominant summer.
The match has officially been cancelled, however, with Cricket Australia confirming the suspension of all cricket activities on Tuesday as a result of the spread of COVID-19.
The decision comes after the final round of the Sheffield Shield was called off on Sunday morning.
With the decider cancelled and NSW holding a 12-point lead atop the ladder, the governing body has determined the Blues will be named champions.
In announcing the decision, Cricket Australia also advised all community cricket across the country be called off.
The move casts a serious threat over this weekend's Cricket Illawarra grand final and the South Coast semi-finals that were due to commence on Saturday.
Cricket Australia chief executive Kevin Roberts said it was a tough but necessary decision.
"By effectively cancelling the remainder of our season, Cricket Australia is playing its part in protecting fans, players, staff, volunteers and match officials during this unprecedented global health issue," Roberts said.
"These are difficult decisions, but the right ones in the circumstances.
"Many will no doubt be disappointed that the Sheffield Shield, Premier Cricket and Community Cricket seasons won't have their traditional ending.
"That said, we congratulate New South Wales who were 12 points clear at the top of the table on being crowned Sheffield Shield champions.
"As organisations around the world rally to slow the spread of the coronavirus, it's important that we also provide decisive leadership.
"We hope that by taking these actions now - in addition to those announced in recent days - we can contribute to 'flattening the curve' of coronavirus and society returning to normal as quickly as possible."
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Cameron Mee
Sports reporter at the Canberra Times
Sports reporter at the Canberra Times
