Day 2 of the third Ashes Test between Australia and England continued on December 27 despite four members of the tourists’ camp testing Covid-19 positive.
Cricket Australia confirmed the news via a statement, mentioning clearly that two members of England’s support staff and two family members of the support staff personnel have given positive tests in the round of coronavirus rapid antigen tests that took place.
The start of play on Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test was thus delayed by half an hour, with the England team delaying their arrival to the MCG as their entire squad had to go through another round of tests to check if any of them were also positive. But those tests returned negative.
Another full round of PCR tests is due to be conducted later on Monday on England’s touring contingent, CA confirmed, adding that extra precautions will be taken while the play resumes in Melbourne.
“Cricket Australia has been informed that two members of the England cricket team’s support staff and two of their family members have returned a positive Covid-19 Rapid Antigen Test,”
read a statement from CA.
“The affected individuals are currently isolating. The entire playing group and all other support staff have undertaken Rapid Antigen Tests this morning and all have tested negative.
The England cricket team will also have PCR tests today, and both teams will take extra precautions throughout play. Both playing squads remain unchanged.”
CA felt confident of going ahead with the plan after confirming also that there was “no further impact” of England’s positive tests on the areas of the MCG or on the fans visiting the stadium. CA will continue to monitor the situation along with MCC.
An ESPNcricinfo report stated Victorian government Covid-19 info, which confirmed that the state reported 1,999 new positive cases on December 26, Day 1 of the third Ashes Test.
The protocols in Victoria and Melbourne, however, are friendlier for the players than they were in South Australia when Pat Cummins had to be isolated for seven days and missed the Adelaide Test despite testing negative after being identified as a close contact of a positive individual.
Since England’s visit and the Ashes is extremely crucial to CA and their sustenance in pandemic times, the board is unlikely to take any risks with regards to players’ safety which could jeopardise the Test match or the series.
