Australia batsman Peter Handscomb who was leading Middlesex was forced to miss the Championship Group 2 game on Sunday against Leicestershire in England after he returned a positive COVID-19 result.

Handscomb was forced into isolation following a positive test result and Irish pacer Tim Murtagh filled his place.

“Irishman Tim Murtagh stepped up to fill in for Handscomb as skipper as Middlesex ended day one of the clashes with Leicestershire at 3-280,” a report in 'The West Australian' said.

The right-hand batsman is going through a poor run of form as he failed to cross the 50-run mark in 13 innings for Middlesex.

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He has failed to impress the national selectors as well as the right-hander last played for Australia in a Test against India in Sydney in January 2019. His last T20I was also against India at Bangalore in February 2019. His last international match was an ODI against England at Birmingham in July 2019.

In England, there has been an outbreak of COVID-19 as the selectors had to announce a completely inexperienced squad for the ongoing white-ball home series against Pakistan as seven members had previously tested positive for COVID-19.

(With PTI Inputs)