Cummins out of 2nd Ashes test due to COVID-19 exposure


PTI, Dec 16, 2021, 10:00 AM IST

Image credit: Getty Images

Adelaide: Australia captain Pat Cummins will not play in the second Ashes test against England after being deemed a close contact of a person who returned a positive Covid-19 test.

Less than three hours before the toss for the day-night test at Adelaide Oval on Thursday, Cricket Australia said in a statement that Cummins was dining in a restaurant Wednesday night and had not breached any biosecurity protocols. He isolated as soon as he became aware of the situation and has since had a COVID-19 test, which was negative.

Cricket Australia said South Australia (state) Health confirmed that Cummins was a close contact and will be required to isolate for seven days. It said Cummins should be available for the third test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground starting Dec. 26.

“Cummins is understandably very disappointed not to be able to captain Australia,” the statement said.

Vice-captain Steve Smith will captain the team in Cummins’ absence. Michael Neser comes into the playing XI to replace Cummins and make his test debut, with Travis Head vice-captain.

It will be Smith’s first appearance as captain since the Cape Town, South Africa ball-tampering scandal in 2018 which cost him the captaincy and a subsequent two-year leadership ban.

Cricket Australia said fellow Australia bowlers Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon were dining at the same restaurant as Cummins but at a separate table outdoors. SA Health said they casual contacts and they are free to play.

Cummins’ absence along with that of injured Josh Hazlewood is a big blow to Australia after Hazlewood, the world’s top-ranked test bowler, claimed a five-wicket haul in Australia’s series-opening nine-wicket win at the Gabba in Brisbane.

Adelaide has had a rise in COVID-19 cases over the past week, with the 25 reported on Wednesday the most in a single day in more than 18 months.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

Original East India Company wound up but new breed of monopolists is in its place: Rahul

Pune gangrape case: 2 arrested men gave false info about 3rd absconding accused, say police

A third of Ranthambore’s 75 tigers missing, say officials

‘This will be most important day in American history’: Trump

EC updates Maharashtra voter list; Shahada seat has 3 candidates in fray, Nanded North 33

Millions cast vote in historic US presidential election

Wine Merchants’ Association alleges corruption in excise dept, Minister Thimmapur refutes charge

Related Articles More

ICC successfully trials AI tool to curb abuse in women’s cricket

IOA submits ‘Letter of Intent’ to host 2036 Olympics in India

Mohammed Shami’s return to competitive cricket delayed; not to play for Bengal against Karnataka, MP

IPL auction set to be held in Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh at end of November

So proud of you: Ravindra reveals rare message from dad after NZ’s historic series win

MUST WATCH

Gho Pooja in Deepavali Festival

Melukote Deepavali

Ganapathi Co-operative Society Ltd

Udayavani Chinnara Banna 2024

Annapoorna Aahar | Food Places In Mysore


Latest Additions

Gadag: Man throws three children into river, jumps in himself following family dispute

Over 20 Congress MLAs submit complaint to high command against Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan

Results of US elections might not be known for several days: Harris campaign

Original East India Company wound up but new breed of monopolists is in its place: Rahul

Indian restaurants in Singapore welcome govt move to allow them to hire cooks from India

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.