Australian middle-order batter Travis Head has tested positive for the contagious Covid-19 virus ahead of the New Year’s Test of the Ashes 2021-22 to be played at the SCG from January 5.
Head’s positive test led to a delay in the Australian team’s departure from Melbourne to Sydney. The Australian selectors and management have sought replacements for the fourth Test of the series already bagged 3-0 by the home side.
As per a Cricket Australia update related to Head’s positive test, the player being affected by the dangerous virus came to light via a routine PCR check.
However, the left-hander, who struck a fantastic counterattacking hundred in the first Test at the Gabba, is asymptomatic. Head will stay put in Melbourne along with his partner, who will have to be isolated for seven days now according to the Victorian government’s health guidelines.
In Head’s absence, fellow left-hander Usman Khawaja is likely to make a comeback to the Test XI in Sydney. The think-tank has also brought in Mitchell Marsh, Nic Maddinson and Josh Inglis as covers, keeping in mind the possibility of further Covid positive tests in the camp.
ESPNcricinfo quoted a CA spokesperson reiterating the necessary rules, saying that all the players, support staff personnel and their families went through PCR and rapid tests on December 31 and will travel to Sydney via a charter flight after negative outcomes.
“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,”
the spokesperson said.
“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,”
he added.
Initially, the plan was for both the teams’ contingent to travel together to Sydney. But CA will be arranging a separate charter for England and Australian camps, considering that the touring side is also coping with a few coronavirus positive tests.
Only head coach Chris Silverwood will not travel to SCG after one of his family members has tested positive.
The total number of positive cases to emerge from the England camp have now grown to seven. But it is being reported that the entire playing group has turned out negative from the tests conducted thereafter.
