Pat Cummins was forced to miss the Adelaide Pink Ball Ashes Test as he went into isolation after coming into close contact with a COVID-19 positive individual at a restaurant.
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The Australian cricket team was thrown into chaos just before the Adelaide Pink Ball Ashes Test against England. Pat Cummins, who started his captaincy tenure with a win in Brisbane, has been forced to miss the second Test. Cummins, who was dining in a restaurant before the Test, apparently came into close contact with an individual who was positive for the coronavirus. With this development, Steve Smith has spectacularly returned as the captain of the Australian cricket team.
According to a statement by Cricket Australia, it read, “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. 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.”
Cummins’ late withdrawal added to the chaos for Australia in their build-up to the Adelaide Pink Ball Test. Josh Hazlewood was ruled out of the Test due to a side strain that he sustained in Brisbane. Jhye Richardson returned to the team after a gap of two years. With Cummins’ withdrawal, Michael Neser has been included to make his Ashes debut.
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David Warner was also in doubt after suffering a rib injury but he was passed fit at the last moment. Australia chose to bat with England welcoming Stuart Broad and James Anderson back in the team. The duo bowled beautifully as Australia managed just 15 runs in the first 12 overs. Broad got the wicket of Marcus Harris cheaply.
Australia have never lost a Pink Ball Test but England will be desperate to make a comeback after losing the first Test in Brisbane by nine wickets.
