The Maitland Pickers have cancelled pre-season training this week as a precaution against the growing COVID-19 outbreak in the Hunter spreading among players and staff.
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As people across the Hunter started to see their Christmas and holiday plans crumble, Pickers coach Matt Lantry informed players ahead of Tuesday night's session that training was off.
There were 224 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Monday in the Hunter New England Health District including 28 in Maitland.
The Pickers' move came as the Newcastle Jets announced late Tuesday afternoon that one of their players had tested positive for COVID-19.
Veteran Pickers forward Sam Anderson said as a father of three it had been a relief to hear from Lantry that training had been cancelled.
Anderson was particular relieved as he and his partner Emily will be getting married in Forster on Friday.
"It's a pretty good feeling when the coach cancels training as he is worried his players' plans for Christmas could be thrown into turmoil if they catch COVID," Anderson said.
"I'm pretty relieved and will be glad to get in the car to drive up to Forster tomorrow morning."
In Newcastle where the outbreak is at its worst, the Newcastle District Cricket Association (NDCA) have introduced a COVID replacement clause in response to the region's ongoing outbreak.
Australian Community Media reported NDCA officials circulated an email on Tuesday outlining a plan to deal with the potential fallout from public health orders this week.
Players from various clubs have already been asked to self-isolate for a seven-day period because they were close contacts.
In terms of matches already underway, players part of the XI on day one can now be replaced by a "like player" if they have been directed by NSW Health to self-isolate.
This clause is similar to unavailability based on representative duties.
However, in a worst-case-scenario this Saturday, if any games are "impacted to the extent a team cannot play" then draws would be declared rather than forfeits.