Australia have once again been hit with COVID chaos just a day out from the first of their three T20I matches against the West Indies, with captain Mitchell Marsh testing positive.
Marsh, who was named captain for the series in a likely audition for the role at June’s T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and USA, has been declared fit to play unless his symptoms worsen.
But the requirement the all-rounder use a separate dressing room and socially distance from teammates on the field is set to make the captaincy all the more challenging.
Marsh is the third Australian to test positive for the virus during the limited-overs portion of the West Indies’ tour, with Josh Inglis and Cameron Green also impacted during the ODI series.
Comically, Green was shooed away from a wicket celebration during the second ODI in Sydney by veteran quick Josh Hazlewood, to ensure he abided by COVID regulations.
It’s the first setback in what has been a landmark summer for Marsh, with the popular Western Australian entrenching himself in the Test team after a series of crucial performances against Pakistan, to go with his 2023 Ashes heroics in England and his key role in Australia’s upset World Cup triumph in India.
Most notably, he was a shock winner of the Allan Border Medal last week.
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
If you died in a car crash but had COVID-19, it would count to the "With Covid" tally.
Barry Crocker
Roar Rookie
Hot tip, buy the cheapest tickets on offer as you'll be able to move to wherever you want to sit! Just don't sit on the eastern side of the ground as will be super hot in the sun at that time... Let's hope it's a good game in context?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
?
Ace
Roar Rookie
I appreciate it.... smile when I see others taking exception :silly:
Ouch
Roar Rookie
except Green
Ad Tastic
Roar Rookie
You know Fauci just came out and said the social distancing thing had no basis in science. Just something to consider.
Ad Tastic
Roar Rookie
I’m talking about the guy that never had to come into the office sick. However the Govt wasnt exactly informed on COVID, if thats what youre getting at. Considering the amount of backtracking they had to do in the end.
Gamechanger
Roar Rookie
No just an informed citizen.
Ad Tastic
Roar Rookie
You must work for the Govt or something
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
There was more than one ODI in the season. Everybody probably played one good game.
Gamechanger
Roar Rookie
The World Cup final Don? The wicket of Kohli was pivotal. He was majorly influential in the game that mattered, however he is better in the The Test format.
Gamechanger
Roar Rookie
Another example of ridiculous scheduling.
Gamechanger
Roar Rookie
It’s interesting the number of people who just say look I probably have COVID but I couldn’t be bothered testing now because it’s just not as serious as influenza A or pneumonia. The problem is if they come into contact with someone who is in a vulnerable group, it could be really problematic. Doctors are saying that the current COVID variant is more infectious and contagious than anything that has gone before.The strain itself is not stronger than previous variants. This is what my doctor said .
Gamechanger
Roar Rookie
The safest position for Mitch with COVID to field in, is at fine leg with a megaphone ( ICC special provisions for COVID affected players) to help direct field placements. However the boundary riders that serve drinks on the boundary at the end of every over need to make themselves scarce and stay away from Mitch or make a mockery of social distancing.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
It's a sledge dressed up as a joke. But most of us understand the base nastiness behind it.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
I've had covid twice in the last 18 months. Both times it knocked me out for days. One of the times I couldn't get out of bed for 36 hours. Guess it depends on your definition as to what is a nothing burger.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Miracles do happen Don.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Well , I'm going. The only game we can get the majority of the clan together. Agree, a crappy time.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Twenty thousand Australians have died with or from Covid up till August 2023. Nothing burger? Glad you're not running the health system.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Cummins was just terrible with the white ball. He was never going to get enough votes.