T20 umpire no-balled for security breach

English umpire Michael Gough’s participation in the rest of the T20 World Cup is unclear after he was put into six days of self-isolation for violating the tournament’s biosecurity regulations.

Gough, who is on the elite panel of International Cricket Council umpires, was due to officiate in the India-New Zealand match but was replaced by South Africa’s Marais Erasmus.

While the ICC would not confirm the exact nature of Gough’s infringement, players, team staff, officials and broadcasters have entered into ‘bubble’ environments to safeguard the tournament amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

An ICC spokesperson said in a statement: “The biosecurity advisory committee has instructed umpire Michael Gough to isolate for six days due to a breach of the event biosecurity protocols.”

Gough was due to be television umpire for West Indies-Sri Lanka on Thursday and an on-field official for New Zealand-Afghanistan on Sunday. It is uncertain whether he will face punishment for his breach.

T20 umpire no-balled for security breach
Independent Information