England fast bowler Stuart Broad has seen the funnier side of the alarming coronavirus epidemic, appearing to have mocked skipper Joe Root following the latter’s latest statements and ban of handshakes due to the fear of communicability of the disease.
The coronavirus has rocked the entire world since being initially spotted in a case in Wuhan, China. The COVID-19 virus cases have spread like wildfire, wreaking havoc currently in as many as 57 nations including India. Over 3000 people have died owing to the disease, while lakhs of other victims have been seriously affected with pneumonia, common cold, and breathing problems.
In such adverse conditions, the world of sport has taken a backseat in order to monitor and prevent the outbreak as well. Not just cricket, but European football, especially in Italy, Japan and China, has been beset with broken schedules and delayed procedures. One example from the world of cricket is the women’s bi-lateral series between Ireland and Thailand, which has been canceled on the request of the host nation.
The England national team sustained flu and gastroenteritis earlier during their tour of South Africa, causing Root to extend the measures that are to be taken hereafter. One such proposed idea was to chalk off handshakes with each other before or after matches.
Speaking earlier on Monday, Root admitted:
“After the illnesses that swept through the squad in South Africa, we are well aware of the importance of keeping contact to a minimum. We’ve been given some really sound and sensible advice from our medical team to help prevent spreading germs and bacteria.”
Adding on, he said:
“We are not shaking hands with each other using instead the well-established fist bump and we are washing hands regularly and wiping down surfaces using the antibacterial wipes and gels we’ve been given in our immunity packs.”
Broad on the other hand, poked fun on Root by filming a news story displayed on his screen that reads: ‘Coronavirus forces England to ditch handshakes in Sri Lanka: Root’ and then turning his camera while also extending his hand towards a serious Root, who only manages to offer a smirk at the end.
🤝 @root66 pic.twitter.com/ZlOm7OcGS1
— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) March 3, 2020
Certainly, though, the world champions would be wary of the threat posed by the virus, as they begin their Test series against Sri Lanka on March 19.
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