Australia’s middle-order batsman Travis Head has been ruled out of the fourth Ashes Test after he tested COVID-19 positive following a routing RT-PCR test. Head is asymptomatic and will remain in Melbourne and isolate with his partner for seven days in line with Victorian Government Health requirements.
However, the remaining cricketers and their families, and the support staff have undergone PCR and RAT tests this morning. Both Australia and England contingents are scheduled to travel to Sydney today separately. Cricket Australia confirmed the news and stated that they are hopeful that Travis Head will return for the final showdown.
“As part of our testing procedures, we are PCR testing players, their families and our support staff daily,” said a Cricket Australia spokesperson.
“Unfortunately, Travis returned a positive Covid-19 result earlier today. Thankfully, he is asymptomatic at this stage. We anticipate that he will be available to play in the fifth Vodafone men’s Ashes Test in Hobart,” it added.Â
Australia name replacements for Travis Head
Travis Head, who is Australia’s leading run-scorer in the Ashes to date, with 248 at 62 after a stunning century in the series opener in Brisbane, could be replaced in the side by Usman Khawaja.
Meanwhile, Mitchell Marsh, Nic Maddinson, and Josh Inglis have all been called up to Australia’s squad as cover in case there are further positive cases within the playing group.
The news comes a day after it was confirmed England coach Chris Silverwood would also be absent from the Sydney Test, after the COVID-19 outbreak in the touring team’s camp grew to seven. Silverwood awoke on Thursday to the news that he had been identified as close contact, after a family member in the touring party contracted the virus.
Australia have already pocketed the Ashes 3-0 beating England in the first three outings.
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