Travis Head to miss Sydney Test after testing positive for COVID-19
Travis Head (Photo by Albert Perez – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)
Australia batter Travis Head has tested positive for COVID-19. This is a massive setback to the high profile series, which is already gasping for breath after consistent cases in the last week. Head’s positive result came days after seven members of the touring party, including three support staff and four family members of the contingent, delivered positive results, leaving the series in jeopardy. Head will now have to isolate for seven days and will miss the upcoming fourth Test in Sydney.
It all started with a few members of the broadcasting crew testing positive for COVID-19 in Adelaide, which was followed by a string of cases. Match Referee David Boon also contracted the virus, while England head coach Chris Silverwood was also forced to isolate after being identified as a close contact of a positive patient. As many as 12 cases have been reported in BBL as well which has put serious doubts about the tournament going ahead.
A Cricket Australia (CA) spokesperson confirmed the news of Head testing positive. “As part of our testing procedures, we are PCR testing players, their families and our support staff daily.
“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.
“We are grateful to our exceptional medical staff for all the work they have done throughout this series and we will continue to work with and support the players, their families and staff from both teams.”
Head has been in tremendous form in the ongoing Ashes and is Australia’s leading run-scorer in the series, with 248 runs to his name. Meanwhile, Australia have brought in Mitchell Marsh, Josh Inglis and Nic Maddinson in the squad as cover.
