Australian batsman Travis Head tested covid positive ahead of 4th Ashes test.
The Ashes 2021-22: To add more to the Ashes 2021-22 woes, the covid-19 scare has hit the Australian camp as middle-order batsman Travis Head has tested covid positive, five days prior to the 4th Ashes test match. Head is currently asymptomatic and is in isolation with his partner.
It is important to note that, earlier, seven members of the touring party had tested covid positive which include the England head coach Chris Silverwood.
Silverwood is in 10days isolation in Melbourne and will be unavailable for the New Year’s test match in Sydney Cricket Ground. The match is slated to begin on 5th January.
Travis Head is the first player to get contracted with the dreaded virus from either of the camps. The total covid tally in the ongoing Ashes 2021-22 has now reached eight, compounding the strict rules and regulations.
The Australian batsman is the second-highest run-getter in the Ashes 2021-22 after England skipper Joe Root. He has amassed 248 runs in three test matches including a century and a half-century.
Cricket Australia (CA) in a statement informed that daily RT-PCR testing is being done on players and the other members of the ongoing Ashes 2021-22.
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“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,” Cricket Australia was quoted as saying in a statement.
The statement further added that Travis Head is likely to be available for the final test match.
“Thankfully, he [Travid Head] is asymptomatic at this stage. We anticipate that he will be available to play in the fifth Vodafone men’s Ashes Test in Hobart,” added Cricket Australia.
“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.”
CA have roped in Josh Inglis, Nic Maddinson and Mitchell Marsh as the covers of Travis Head. All the three aforementioned cricketers are currently plying their trade in the ongoing BBL.
Further, it is also noteworthy that ICC elite match referee David Boon has also tested covid positive and has been replaced by Steve Bernard.
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