A COVID-19 scare has caused chaos within the Australian cricket team just hours before the Adelaide Test, with Pat Cummins set to be ruled out of the match after being identified as a close contact of a positive case.
A source with knowledge of the situation has told the Herald and The Age that Australia’s captain was at an Adelaide restaurant on Wednesday evening, with his brother and another professional cricketer, when a patron at the next table was identified as a COVID-19 case.
Pat Cummins could be forced to isolate for seven days as part of South Australian health guidelines.Credit:Getty
It is understood Cummins and others immediately left the venue and alerted authorities.
The man who received a positive COVID-19 result was known to members of the table Cummins was sitting on.
The fast bowler could be forced to isolate for seven days as part of South Australian health guidelines. Cummins may also be able to return to Sydney.
Cricket Australia is expected to provide an update shortly but officials have all but conceded he won’t take his place in Australia’s XI.
The Herald and Age first reported that Cummins was in serious doubt to feature in the second Test, beginning on Thursday afternoon, with one source saying it was “unlikely”. A player source, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the situation was a “nightmare” and Cummins was “slim” odds of playing.
Vice-captain Steve Smith is set to take Cummins’ place as skipper, capping a remarkable return to the role after his involvement in the ball-tampering saga of 2018.
Pace bowler Michael Neser will come into the Australian XI.
Cummins out of second Test after COVID close contact designation
Source: Philippines Alive
