Chris Lynn and Dan Lawrence under investigation for potential Covid-19 protocol breach in Big Bash

The potential breach occurred on Saturday night when the two players dined out, something which isn’t against Cricket Australia’s protocols because players are allowed to dine in public as long as they sit in an outside space

Brisbane Heat captain Chris Lynn and Dan Lawrence will be physically distanced from the rest of their teammates for Brisbane Heat’s Big Bash League clash against Sydney Thunder as Cricket Australia investigates a potential breach of Covid-19 protocols in Canberra on Saturday.

Lynn and Lawrence have tested negative since the potential breach and will have to warm-up at a distance and not partake in any close huddles or wicket celebrations as they are considered to now be outside the biosecure bubble which the BBL is in.

The potential breach occurred on Saturday night when the two players dined out, something which isn’t against Cricket Australia’s protocols because players are allowed to dine in public as long as they sit in an outside space.

This is the first time there has been a potential breach of Covid-19 protocols.

It is understood that there has been tension between players, coaches and Cricket Australia officials over the strictness of protocols for the Big Bash given the low level of infection rates in the country and that state borders have been reopened.

"It is important we maintain the integrity of the bio-secure hub to ensure the safety of the public, players, staff and officials and minimise issues associated with travel between state borders during the tournament," Cricket Australia's head of integrity Sean Carroll told ESPN. "While we are fortunate to live in a country with a low rate of infection compared with many other parts of the world, we are still in the midst of a global pandemic and, as we've seen on a number of occasions in Australia, COVID-19 breakouts and border closures remain a genuine risk.

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"We are always monitoring the public health situation and attempting to strike the appropriate bio-security balance between keeping everyone safe on both sides of the hub and providing as much freedom as possible for those within it. We appreciate that this has been a challenging year for everyone, but we must insist on our bio-security measures being respected and followed so as not to jeopardise public health and safety or the viability of the tournament."

Cricket Australia’s chief medical officer John Orchard explained that BBL practice matches took place outside a biosecure environment.

"We're confident this will be successfully achieved again tonight at Manuka Oval," Orchard said. "They must maintain a physical distance on and particularly off the field (indoors) with team-mates, opposing players, staff and match officials. We have protocols in place for all matches for interaction between those inside and outside the hub.

"Factors including the outdoor nature of the contest, the generally socially-distanced nature of cricket on-field and the fact Canberra is considered a low-risk city support the conclusion that both can play tonight without posing a meaningful risk."

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