Australia’s Test captain Pat Cummins has been ruled out of the pink-ball Test after having come in close contact with a COVID-19 positive case at a restaurant last night in Adelaide. Steve Smith will skipper the side in his absence while Travis Head will be his deputy.
Cummins was dining at a restaurant in Adelaide with another professional cricketer on the eve of the game when someone at an adjoining table was identified as a positive case. Pat Cummins reportedly left immediately and alerted the authorities.
CONFIRMED: Pat Cummins has been ruled out of the Adelaide Test.
Steve Smith will captain.
Michael Neser will debut. #Ashes
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 16, 2021
According to the protocol for those who are vaccinated – he will require to get tested immediately and isolate for 7 days. He will then have COVID tests on Day 6 and 13 thereafter and require negative results to be able to resume normal activity.
“Cummins was dining in a restaurant last night and did not breach any biosecurity protocols. He isolated as soon as he became aware of the situation and has since had a PCR test, which produced a negative result. We anticipate that he will be available to play in the third Vodafone men’s Ashes Test at the MCG in Melbourne,” a release from Cricket Australia stated.
Meanwhile, Pat Cummins is visibly very disappointed to miss on a grueling encounter in Adelaide. Incidentally, Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc were present at the same restaurants, however, were dining outdoor.
“Cummins is understandably very disappointed not to be able to captain Australia for the day-night Test in Adelaide. Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon were dining at the same restaurant as Cummins but at a separate table outdoors. SA Health has deemed them casual contacts and they are free to play,” the release added.
Michael Neser will replace Cummins in the playing XI for the day-night Test in what will be his Test debut on Thursday.
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