The second half of the limited-overs series between the USA and Ireland is on thin ice after the first of the remaining two scheduled One Day Internationals was postponed by another 24 hours from today to tomorrow.
It is understood that the decision was made following multiple positive COVID-19 cases in both teams.
All the matches have been scheduled for Lauderhill, Florida but If the first of the remaining two matches cannot be played tomorrow, officials from both teams are expected to agree to cancel the series altogether rather than playing a standalone match, which was originally scheduled as the third and final match on 30th December.
The series cannot be pushed back beyond that date because Ireland’s travelling squad is due to fly out of Miami on 31st December for Jamaica for the start of their Limited-Overs series against the West Indies.
It has been reported that one member of the support staff with the Ireland squad has tested positive. However, no new positive COVID-19 tests have been produced by players beyond those who had tested positive ahead of the first Twenty/20 International.
The USA squad’s COVID-19 situation is more complex as multiple players have tested positive between training sessions held on 26th and 27th December. But at least two of those are believed to be false positives after players returned negative tests upon submitting subsequent retested samples. Another round of tests is due to be taken today, and if there are no more new positive tests, the series is expected to finally commence as a two-match competition tomorrow at 10 a. m, with the final One Day International scheduled 2.00 p. m on 30th December.
