Australia's top first-class league Sheffield Shield could be declared remain vacant for 1st time for the first time since the second World War after the cricket board cancelled the final round of the competition due to the rising threat of Coronavirus, according to a report. Cricket Australia, however, deferred a decision on the final, scheduled to be played from March 27, given the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic situation, according to cricket.com.au.

CA chief executive Kevin Roberts said the Shield final round had been cancelled "in an effort to reduce travel" and he hoped it would "contribute to the global effort to slow, and eventually stop, the spread of Coronavirus". "At times like this, cricket must take a back seat for the greater good," he said. "We have been in consultation with relevant government agencies, our own medical team and an infectious diseases expert for quite some time now, and we have taken all their advice into account in making these decisions."