Pat Cummins confirmed for Boxing Day Test after testing COVID negative – Reports

Australian skipper Pat Cummins is all set to play in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. Cummins missed the second Test after being identified as a close contact of a COVID-19 patient. Cummins went out to dine with Adelaide Strikers bowler Harry Conway at an Adelaide Steakhouse. However, in a tragic event, a person sitting close to Cummins was tested positive. Cummins was immediately asked to isolate and was ruled out of the game. In his absence, Steve Smith was named the skipper of the team.

As per the latest developments, Cummins has tested negative for the virus and has moved out of isolation. “Cummins, who has tested negative to the virus, can mix with family but only in small groups while being urged to avoid any highly populated location, particularly indoors. But being able to train and do fitness work is a bonus for the fast bowler who would have been contained to a hotel room for seven days had he remained in Adelaide,” cricket.com.au wrote.

Meanwhile, along with Cummins, Josh Hazlewood was also ruled out of the match owing to a side strain. Jhye Richardson was named as his replacement while Michael Neser got a chance in Cummins’ absence. Meanwhile, Australia are in complete command in the second Ashes Test. Having posted a mammoth 473-9 in their first inning, they have reduced England to 169-5 at the time of writing.