Australia vs West Indies : Tour in doubt, second ODI called off due to COVID case

The second one-day international between West Indies and Australia has been suspended due to a positive COVID-19 case, confirmation of which came only minutes before the first ball was to be bowled in Barbados

Players, support and match officials were given the news shortly after the toss had been completed, with both teams immediately making their way back into their respective dressing rooms.

The game was immediately suspended and it is understood all personnel inside the bubble will immediately be placed into isolation.

The positive case is not believed to be an Australian.

Both teams, as well as broadcast and match officials, have been in a bio-secure bubble for the five-T20, three-ODI series being played on the Caribbean islands of St Lucia and Barbados.

It is a jarring blow not only for the series, but also Riley Meredith, who was set to make his ODI debut and had his cap presented to him by Aaron Finch only minutes before news of the positive case filtered through.

Australia were scheduled to play the Windies in a third ODI on Saturday, but the positive case has put the rest of the tour in considerable doubt.

There is now also a question mark over next month’s T20 tour of Bangladesh.

The Aussies are scheduled to fly to Dhaka next week after only confirming the series would go ahead on Thursday (AEST).

It is the first time the virus has infiltrated the bubble of a series involving Australia.

The men’s team have previously toured the United Kingdom and New Zealand without incident.

They also successfully hosted India last summer.