Cricket Australia's decision to postpone Thursday's Big Bash League clash between the Melbourne Stars and Perth Scorchers appears to have been vindicated, with confirmation that the club have returned 15 positive tests.
The Melbourne Stars' general manager Blair Crouch tweeted that seven players and eight support staff made up the positive results.
@StarsBBL fans unfortunately 7 players and 8 support staff returned a positive test for COVID-19 today.
The health and safety of our players and staff is our priority and we'll keep you updated about next weeks games ASAP.
Thanks for your understanding.
— Blair Crouch (@BlairCrouch1) December 31, 2021
A single positive test in a staff member on Thursday afternoon saw Cricket Australia opt to postpone the match without time for the remainder of the PCR tests to be completed and returned.
The results will undoubtedly plunge the Melbourne Stars' future matches into uncertainty.
Under the current COVID rules in Victoria, anyone testing positive for COVID will need to self isolate for seven days, with a positive test required on Day 6 of that isolation period to return to society without restrictions.
Seven days from the testing day will put the Melbourne Stars group who have tested positive all the way back to the sixth of January leaving their next two matches in severe doubt.
As the calendar currently reads, the Stars are due to play the Scorchers on January 2, with a match against the Melbourne Renegades to follow the next day.
Both of those matches are within the seven-day window, making it somewhat unlikely the Stars will be able to play either game, and giving them three matches to catch up later in the tournament.
Cricket Australia are yet to make official comment, however, it's understood they are locked in meetings on Friday morning to ascertain what the next step will need to be.
