Australian batter Travis Head has tested positive for COVID-19, ruling him out of the fourth Ashes Test at the SCG.
The Australian reported on Friday morning an unnamed batter in the squad has contracted the virus, with uncertainty over how many teammates could be considered close contacts.
Cricket Australia have since confirmed in a statement the player is Head.
“Head is asymptomatic and will remain in Melbourne and isolate with his partner for seven days in line with Victorian Government Health requirements,” the statement read.
“He will be unavailable for selection for the fourth Vodafone men’s Ashes Test, starting at the SCG on January 5.
“The remainder of the Australian squad, their families and the support staff have undergone PCR and RAT tests this morning. Both the Australian and England squads are expected to separately travel to Sydney as planned today.
“As a precautionary measure Mitchell Marsh, Nic Maddinson and Josh Inglis have joined the Australian squad as additional cover.”
It is a bitter blow for Head, who was one of the frontrunners for player of the series honours following his stunning century in the first Test at the Gabba.
Only England captain Joe Root has scored more runs for the series than Head’s 248, but the South Australian has appeared in two fewer innings.
The Australian team’s flight has already been delayed from heading to Sydney. They were originally scheduled to depart on Friday afternoon.
According to journalist Peter Lalor, who broke the story, the case has backup batter Usman Khawaja firming as an inclusion for the New Year’s Test should it go ahead.
“We anticipate that he [Head] will be available to play in the fifth Vodafone men’s Ashes Test in Hobart,” a CA spokesperson said on Friday. That Test is scheduled to begin on January 14.
“We are 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.”
The news comes after seven members of England’s touring party contracted the virus in Melbourne, with coach Chris Silverwood among a group unable to travel with the team to Sydney as he isolates.
However, their players have reportedly tested negative again.
The BBL New Year’s Eve clash at the Adelaide Oval between the Strikers and the Sydney Thunder is also up in the air, after a Thunder player reportedly tested positive as well.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
ok but I think M Marsh as backup for anyone anytime is hilarious. How many times does a player have to prove they're nowhere near Test standard ??
Pierro
Roar Rookie
well totally different circumstances and quality of opposition. nz laboured in the heat batting second and had injuries too with key players. they were spent after days in field in stifling heat too . sure the bowling was good but in the case in Adelaide where Aus beat India, Hazelwood and Cummins were indeed superb bowling after India dominated the first innings and india were and are a vastly better side on Australian soil . no doubt about that . nz haven’t won a series in Australia since 1985 and not much else. so yes nz were poor in aus and Lyons figures were good but against poor opp on Aus soil. india another league here in the and they beat us and Lyon well at scg . Lyon no wickets first innings against India and two second innings as India chased victory .jedaja outbowled him easily at scg . poor . reiterating an average for Lyon of 42 at scg is very very poor
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Very true. I actually don’t think a low score like that means that India were terrible. Just the bowling was really hard to play, did just enough to get the edges, the catches were taken and everything went the Aussies way.
matth
Roar Guru
Good points, although I’d get more experience into Richardson, Boland or Neser before going to Abbott. A squad of 6 is enough
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Totally.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Play hard party hard I'd guess.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
When you say NZ were terrible…you mean our bowlers were good against them? Including Lyon with 10 in a match. I really don’t understand the remark; if the bowlers take wickets cheaply, then no credit to them because because the batting opposition was dismissed cheaply? Do Hazelwood and Cummins get any credit for dismissing India For 36 in Adelaide? Or not because India were really poor?
Diamond Jackie
Roar Rookie
Not living together though.... they'll all play, unless they have it too of course.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
5 on subcontinent is enough to prime swepson scg with a dead rubber match selection
Pierro
Roar Rookie
still Lyons average is poor at scg Jeff and nz were terrible and beaten after days in the heat fielding . swepson deserves a game and scg is perfect . nothing to lose . it’s only upside by playing swepson . ashes retained
Gee
Roar Rookie
The new guys are surely there just for cover. It would be hilarious though if Marsh gets a game & Boland doesn't purely for the press conferences. ELITE HONESTY overload. :stoked:
Gee
Roar Rookie
Jeff could be the Mark Waugh of the team. They were both good at falling asleep in the middle of doing their jobs.
Rossi
Roar Rookie
Devolved more like
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Coco was a female?
nics
Roar Rookie
Jeff would have to field where his predilection for naps isn't too much of a liability... short leg
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Thanks for those learnings, Son of.
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
Cricket Australia have a whole Sheffield shield competition to select a team from. And then a whole country of district snd park cricketers. No way is the series getting cancelled.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Dave J is always fine. Dave...well, he's a troubled boy. This thread involves the angry Dave who wants nothing West Australian in Oz cricket. This is despite the fact that WA leads the Shield, Marsh Cup, BBL and won the women's Marsh Cup. Cricket form is cricket form. In the absence of a red ball, hitting a white ball well is fine. The comparisons with Pollard and co aren't relevant because they are not practioners of red ball stuff. Marsh, Silk, Philippe, Agar, McDermott et al are and that's why their form is relevant.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Would love to see what Pierro brings to the table - if he walks the walk he could be anything.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Having said that the pre match tactics meeting the evening before might be a lot of fun. I am happy to buy the first round to get things moving forward!