Australia Test skipper Pat Cummins is all set to return for the highly-anticipated Boxing Day Test, the third Test match of the ongoing Ashes 2021-22 against England, after being ruled out of the ongoing day-night second Test in Adelaide due to COVID-19 concerns.
Cummins had dined with fellow New South Wales and Adelaide Strikers fast bowler Harry Conway at Little Hunter Steakhouse on the eve of the ongoing pink-ball Ashes Test, and later he was replaced by Michael Neser in the playing XI after being deemed in close contact with a COVID-19 positive person.
He was immediately placed into isolation by South Australia's Department for Health and Wellbeing and also tested negative for COVID-19 in a subsequent PCR test.
However, now, according to cricket.com.au, Cummins will not have to continue his COVID-related isolation in Sydney and will resume training for the third Ashes Test, starting on December 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Melbourne.
Cummins has not returned a positive COVID-19 test as of yet, which was a key reason for allowing him to leave isolation before the due date and mix with his family but not in large gatherings.
A cricket.com.au report stated: “Cummins, who has tested negative to the virus, can mix with family but only in small groups while being urged to avoid any highly populated location, particularly indoors. But being able to train and do fitness work is a bonus for the fast bowler who would have been contained to a hotel room for seven days had he remained in Adelaide.”
Notably, Australia posted a mammoth total of 473 runs before they declared their innings late on Day 2 in the ongoing second Ashes Test in Adelaide. In reply, England were tottering at 203 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in their first innings, at the time of writing this piece.
(With AFP/IANS Inputs)