Australia’s Ashes campaign has been witnessing some drastic turn of events recently, as on Friday with batter, Travis Head tested positive for Covid-19 and was ruled out of next week’s fourth Ashes Test against England in Sydney. The number five batter, who played a fiery knock of 152 in the first Test at Brisbane, will remain in Melbourne and will be isolating himself for seven days.
Informing the same, Cricket Australia said, “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 Ashes Test in Hobart.”
WATCH – Steve Smith Stuck In The Hotel Lift For More Than 50 Minutes
However, there is no clarity regarding which are the players who came in close contact with Travis Head. Mitchell Marsh, Nic Maddinson, and Josh Inglis have been included in the squad as cover, but the experienced Usman Khawaja will be expected to find a place in the XI replacing Head. Khawaja will be playing his first Test since the 2019 Ashes.
Australian batter Travis Head has tested positive to Covid-19 following a routine PCR test.
As a precautionary measure Mitchell Marsh, Nic Maddinson and Josh Inglis have joined the Australian squad as additional cover.
Full statement 👇 pic.twitter.com/1j6o80qZJI
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) December 31, 2021
Travis Head is the latest positive coronavirus case on the Ashes tour with England’s coach Chris Silverwood also set to miss the Sydney Test after a family member failed a test. The visitors have so far registered seven positive cases — three support staff and four family members — since a PCR testing regime was implemented on Monday after the virus was first detected during the Boxing Day Test.
England fast bowling coach Jon Lewis, spin bowling coach Jeetan Patel, and strength and conditioning boss Darren Veness are reportedly among those who are undergoing isolation.
ALSO READ: Quinton de Kock Announces A Sudden Retirement From Test Cricket
International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee David Boon, who has officiated the first three Tests, will also be missing the pink Test in Sydney as he has also tested positive. Australia has already retained the Ashes after comfortable wins in the first three Tests at Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne and are looking to sweep England in the best-of-five series.
