Australia batter Travis Head has been ruled out of the fourth Test of the ongoing Ashes 2021-22 against England to be played from January 5 at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) after testing positive for COVID-19 on Friday (December 31).
Head tested positive following a routine PCR test on Friday, becoming the first player in either squad to be affected by the virus. The 28-year-old is asymptomatic and will remain in isolation for seven days with his partner in Melbourne as per Victoria state health and government regulations.
On Friday, Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed that Head has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss the fourth Ashes Test against England, while also adding Mitchell Marsh, Nic Maddinson, and Josh Inglis to the Australian squad as additional cover ahead of the Sydney Test.
Read Also: Ashes 2021-22: George Bailey says Josh Hazlewood will play SCG Test if he is declared fit
A Cricket Australia (CA) spokesperson confirmed that the remainder of the Australian squad, their families, and support staff underwent PCR and RAT tests on Friday morning.
It is being said that the Australian and England squads are expected to travel separately to Sydney on a chartered flight today.
As reported by cricket.com.au, the spokesperson stated: “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. Thankfully, he is asymptomatic at this stage.”
He added, “We anticipate that he will be available to play in the fifth Vodafone men's Ashes Test in Hobart. We’re 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.”
Head’s positive report came a day after it was confirmed that England coach Chris Silverwood was moved into isolation after his family member returned positive for COVID.
Earlier, ICC match referee David Boon also tested positive for the coronavirus. England’s tally of COVID-19 cases stands at 7.
Notably, Australia has already retained the Ashes in Melbourne after taking an unassailable 3-0 lead in the ongoing five-match Test series against England. The fourth and final test will be played on January 5 and 14 in Sydney and Hobart, respectively.
(With AFP Inputs)
