Northants squad to return home early from Singapore due to 'worsening situation' of coronavirus crisis in UK

The County squad have been in Singapore since last Monday, and were due to fly home on Friday (March 20), but they will now come back a couple of days early, with the players keen to return home to be with loved ones at what is a worrying time for everybody.

A club statement said it was a 'joint decision by club officials and the playing group, and is focused on a desire for all to be with their families'.

David Ripley, the players and the coaching staff will now fly back to the UK this midweek on rearranged flights, despite the group admitting that they have been in 'a very safe environment' in Singapore.

Northants chief executive Ray Payne admits the squad is 'dispirited' at having to cut short the trip, but he declared that this is a ‘family comes first’ situation.

"It’s important to understand that this isn’t a case of us wanting to get the first available flight out of Singapore," said Payne.

“It’s about the worsening situation at home and people being concerned about their families and wanting to be with them.

"It’s a very safe environment here but it’s understandable, there’s a lot of players with young families in our squad and right now that’s what’s most important.”

Despite the premature end to the trip, Payne had nothing but praise for the club’s ground-breaking trip to Asia, and confirmed the squad will be returning next pre-season.

“Singapore Cricket Club have been a great host," he said. "The precautions they’ve taken here are amazing, their hospitality, facilities and how SCC have looked after us is just incredible.

“We’re all pretty dispirited to be leaving actually, but we believe it’s the right decision. We’re looking forward to returning next year.”