YORKSHIRE have confirmed that a positive Covid-19 test has almost certainly spelled the end of the season for T20 Blast captain David Willey, stand-in skipper Tom Kohler-Cadmore, all-rounder Matthew Fisher and leg-spinner Josh Poysden.

It is bad news for their slim hopes of qualifying for the Blast quarter-finals, where they realistically need three wins from three, starting against Durham at Emerald Headingley this evening, to have a chance of going through.

The quartet above were hoping to play in Monday night's Roses clash with Lancashire, but had to be pulled out of the squad at the last minute, as they were still waiting on the necessary results.

As well as missing that clash, and tonight's game, the four players will not be available to face Lancashire tomorrow or Derbyshire on Sunday.

Given the necessary isolation period, the four would likely be able to play on the Finals Day on October 3, but Yorkshire's chances of qualifying appear remote.

In a statement, the club said: "The Yorkshire County Cricket Club can confirm that Matthew Fisher, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Josh Poysden and David Willey will be unavailable for the remaining Vitality Blast group matches after a positive COVID test was received.

"The four players were deemed to be in close contact on Saturday, separate to the squad and away from a COVID secure environment.

"One player has had a positive test returned and as all four players were deemed to be in close contact, all four have been advised to self-isolate for 14 days, as per COVID guidelines."

Kunwar Bansil, The Yorkshire County Cricket Club’s Lead Physiotherapist said: "Although it is disappointing that we will be without four key players, we have a duty of care to the wider squad and others.

"The health and well-being of the players and support staff is the club’s primary responsibility, as well as protecting the opposition, the integrity of the competition and playing our part in keeping the wider community safe."