Ashes 2021-22 LIVE: Australia COVID crisis deepens- Middle-order batter Travis Head has tested positive for COVID, the first such case in the Australia camp. He had slammed 152 at Brisbane and smashed a half-century at Adelaide but remains unavailable for Sydney Test and undergo 7 days in isolation. The latest development comes after record 7 cases in England camp among family and staff. Follow Ashes 2021-22 LIVE updates on InsideSport.IN
Three players have been brought in as cover for Travis Head. Allrounder Mitchell Marsh, Nic Maddinson & Josh Inglis join as cover. However, the good news is that Marcus Harris, who was a close contact of Head, has tested negative in PCR test and is available for selection. Marcus Harris had to stay back in Melbourne after Head tested positive.
Good news! Marcus Harris has received his PCR test and it’s negative. Will play in Sydney. @FoxCricket #Ashes https://t.co/2GyUpTwSHn pic.twitter.com/osOH9cvnCI
— Tom Morris (@tommorris32) December 31, 2021
“Australian batter Travis Head has tested positive to Covid-19 following a routine PCR test. As a precautionary measure Mitchell Marsh, Nic Maddinson and Josh Inglis have joined the Australian squad as additional cover,” Cricket Australia said in a tweet post.
Ashes 2021-22 LIVE: Australia COVID crisis deepens as Travis Head tests positive, 3 players including Mitchell Marsh join as additional cover- Follow LIVE updates
Australian batter Travis Head has tested positive to Covid-19 following a routine PCR test.
As a precautionary measure Mitchell Marsh, Nic Maddinson and Josh Inglis have joined the Australian squad as additional cover.
Full statement 👇 pic.twitter.com/1j6o80qZJI
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) December 31, 2021
“Head is asymptomatic and will remain in Melbourne and isolate with his partner for seven days in line with Victorian Government Health requirements. He is unavailable for selection for fourth Test at the SCG on January 5,” Cricket Australia said in a statement.
“The remainder of the Australian squad, their families and the support staff have undergone PCR and RAT tests this morning. Both the Australian and England squads are expected to separately travel to Sydney as planned on Friday,” it added.
A Cricket Australia spokesperson said: “As part of our testing procedures, we are PCR testing players, their families and our support staff daily. Unfortunately, Travis returned a positive COVID-19 result earlier today. Thankfully, he is asymptomatic at this stage. We anticipate that he will be available to play in the fifth Ashes Test in Hobart.”
Ashes 2021-22 LIVE: Australia COVID crisis deepens as Travis Head tests positive, 3 players including Mitchell Marsh join as additional cover- Follow LIVE updates
- Travis Head is the record eighth COVID case of Ashes, he is the first player to be infected with COVID-19.
- As many as 7 members in England camp except players have tested COVID positive and isolating.
- Pat Cummins had survived a COVID scare ahead of the second Test but had missed Adelaide Test due to COVID positive case close contact
- Allrounder Mitchell Marsh finally makes his way back into the squad.
Meanwhile, Mitchell Marsh has been rewarded after his heroics in T20 World Cup coupled with sensational performances in BBL. He played an instrumental role in guiding Australia to the maiden T20WC triumph, including an unbeaten 77 in the finals and recently slammed 100, 86 and unbeaten 42 in the ongoing Big Bash League. He had last played a Test match against England in September 2019.
On the other hand, Nic Maddinson had a brilliant domestic season for Victoria. Josh Ingis also finally enters the squad as Alex Carey won the race to become the Ashes first-choice wicket-keeper after Tim Paine’s unavailability after the sexting scandal.
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