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Australia cricket team suffered a big blow ahead of the ODI series against Pakistan after their player Ashton Agar tested positive for the Covid-19 virus. The three-match ODI series between Australia and Pakistan is scheduled to start from March 29.
Australia cricket team were already troubled by the injury issues and a positive Covid-19 case has now created more problems for the visitors.
Agar tests positive
Notably, Agar’s test took place in Lahore where he was tested positive for the Covid-19 virus. The Aussie spinner has been sent to a five-day quarantine before joining the team. Team physiotherapist Brendan Wilson was diagnosed with the Covid-19 virus as well.
Cricket Australia issued a statement saying that, “all other players and staff returned negative tests.”
Due to the positive Covid-19 cases, now the team have only 13 players left for the first ODI against Pakistan. Earlier, Cricket Australia had also confirmed that wicketkeeper Jose Inglis was also tested positive for the coronavirus.
IPL-bound players in Aussie camp
There are multiple Australia cricketers in Pakistan who are going to take part in Indian Premier League (IPL) later. Players like Aaron Finch, Mitchell Marsh, Marcus Stoinis, Jason Behrendorff, Sean Abbott are set to join their respective IPL franchises after the completion of the white-ball series against Pakistan.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) franchise are set to miss the Australian duo of Cummins and Finch for first few IPL matches. On the other hand, Royal Challengers Bangalore’s bowling unit will face a huge setback as two Aussie bowlers- Hazlewood and Behrendorff are set to miss the first three matches for RCB.
Debutant Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) had earlier roped in Australian all-rounder Stoinis ahead of the mega auction for IPL 2022 but the 32-year-old player will miss few IPL games due to his international duties.
The Rishabh Pant-led Delhi Capitals (DC) team will also miss two Australian cricketers – David Warner and Mitchell Marsh.
Australia all-ronder Marsh is not playing in the first ODI, due to his injury. On the other hand, former Aussie skipper Steve Smith was ruled out of the ODI series due to his elbow injury.
