Two of England’s senior international players, Lauren Winfield and Amy Jones are both stuck in Australia due to coronavirus fears which has prevented them from travelling home.
After the T20 World Cup ended earlier this month, both players decided to remain in Australia, with Jones in Perth and Winfield enjoying her honeymoon with partner Courtney Hill on the Great Barrier Reef in Hamilton Island.
Winfield actually got married shortly after the World Cup was over, in front of family, friends and a number of teammates. But whilst, the rest of the England squad made it home safely, the closing of Australia’s borders has prevented both Winfield and Jones from returning home.
The two have vowed not to leave each other behind until they are at home and remain in regular contact with one another during this time of uncertainty.
With the ECB announcing individual training regimes for the men’s and women’s teams during this period of isolation, care packages are reportedly being sent to Jones and Winfield, containing dumbells, kettlebells and other fitness equipment.
Speaking to The Independent, Winfield told reporters “I was supposed to fly home on Friday but my flights been cancelled. Everything through Dubai, Emirates, has been cancelled for the next two weeks. They are reassessing in two weeks’ time. But rumours are it could be up to two to three months. At the minute I have a flight on the 8th (April), but I feel like that’s just going to come around and it’ll get pushed back and back.”
With the start of the domestic season already postponed, the pair may still be back in time by the time season does actually begin. When this will be however, is still very much up in the air.