Pat Cummins Ruled Out Of Second Ashes Test Match After Covid Close Contact

Adelaide: The captain of Australian Cricket Team, Pat Cummins, has been ruled out of the second test match against England in the ongoing Ashes Test series after coming in proximity with a Covid-19 case.

The Australian fast bowler was dining with his brother and Adelaide Strikers' bowler Harry Conway when a patron on an adjoining table was identified as a covid positive case.

The trio immediately left the restaurant and notified the concerned authorities. He is mandated to isolate for 7 days inspite of testing negative in his PCR test.

It is because a fully vaccinated close contact of a Covid positive case must get tested immediately and isolate for seven days, as well as undergo tests on day 6 and 13 after the contact according to the South Australia health rules.

Pat Cummins has also expressed his disappointment in his official Twitter handle.

Steve Smith will captain the Aussies in the absence of Cummins while Travis Head has been named as vice-captain. This comes after Tim Paine resigned as test captain last month.

It also means that Michael Neser will get a chance to make his test debut for the Aussies as the replacement for Cummins.

It is to be noted that Australian seamer Pat Cummins and spinner Nathan Lyon were also present in that very same restaurant but at a seperate table outdoors.

However, the duo have not been barred from playing as South Australia Health Authorities deemed them casual contacts.

"Not only [are we] taking the advice of the authorities but also having in mind what it means for the continuity of the tour, what we do know is that Pat was a close contact and we want to make sure we can continue with the tour," the Cricket Australia (CA) Chief Executive Nick Hockley said.

CA expects Pat Cummins to be available for the third test match in Melbourne which starts on 26 December.

Australia currently leads 1-0 in the 5 match test series. Australia crushed England by 9 wickets in the First Test Match held in the Gabba Stadium in Brisbane.

Also read: Rohit Sharma Ruled Out Of South Africa Tests With Injuries: Priyank Panchal Named Replacement

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