The Australian men’s team, which is currently involved in Ashes 2021-22, has been hit by a Covid-19 case as Travis Head, an Australian Test batter, tested positive for the same during a regular PCR test. The left-hander is asymptomatic and will remain in Melbourne for seven days, isolated with his spouse as per government health regulations in Victoria.
As a result of Head’s absence from the fourth Ashes Test in Sydney, Mitchell Marsh, Nic Maddinson, and Josh Inglis have been added to the Australian team as backups. The rest of the Australian players, their families, and support personnel were tested for PCR and RAT this morning, since the two teams are travelling separately today ahead of the match on January 5.
Head is scheduled to return for the fifth Test in Hobart, according to Cricket Australia.
“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 Vodafone men’s Ashes Test in Hobart.
“We are grateful to our exceptional medical staff for all the work they have done throughout this series and we will continue to work with and support the players, their families and staff from both teams.”
Head joins Chris Silverwood among England’s fourth-test absentees, with England’s coach starting his isolation as a close contact yesterday.
The head coach of the England Cricket Team, Chris Silverwood, will thus stay back in Melbourne even as the team heads to Sydney for the fourth Test of the series. The fourth Test of the Ashes 2021-22 is scheduled to be held from 5th January to 9th January 2022 at Sydney Cricket Ground.
Earlier, several members of the support staff and family had tested positive ahead of the second day of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. However, despite the positive results, the second Test was allowed to continue and wasn’t cancelled. England lost the third Test by an innings and 14 runs. Australia thus seals the Ashes 2021-22 series by 3-0 with two Tests remaining.
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