Australia has suffered another major blow as their wicket-keeper batter Matthew Wade tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of their big-ticket Super 12 match against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Wade, the only wicketkeeper-batter in the 15-member Australia squad, returned a positive test for Covid-19 on Wednesday evening.

However, Matthew Wade is expected to play against England unless his condition deteriorates ahead of the game at the MCG on Friday, October 28. Wade is experiencing only minor symptoms of Covid-19, according to cricket.com.au. According to the ICC rules, a player who tested positive for Covid-19 can still play matches.

Matthew Wade is the second Australian player after leg-spinner Adam Zampa to have tested positive for Covid-19 in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2022 tournament. Zampa missed Australia’s game against Sri Lanka on Tuesday.

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However, Zampa will be expected to play against England on Friday after having returned multiple negative tests for Covid-19 over the last 2 days. Zampa was also seen bowling at the nets in Junction Oval where Australia trained for their blockbuster clash against England.

According to the report, Glenn Maxwell was performing the wicketkeeping during training on Thursday. Captain Aaron Finch had suggested that David Warner might take the gloves if Wade was unavailable as Australia doesn’t have another specialist wicketkeeper-batter.

Josh Inglish, who was picked in the 15-man squad as the second wicketkeeper, was ruled out due to an injury. Cameron Green, a fast-bowling all-rounder, replaced Inglis in the squad as Australia risked going in without a backup gloveman for the World Cup at home.

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Even if Matthew Wade plays on Friday, he is not permitted to travel with the rest of the team in the team bus to the ground from the team hotel. Wade also can’t use the dressing room in Sydney before or during the match. Australia will be hoping that the Covid-19 virus does not spread in their camp after two players tested positive for Covid-19 in a span of less than a week.