Right ahead of the Women's ODI World Cup which is slated to start from March 4, Australia all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner has tested positive to Covid-19 following a routine RAT, with her positive result confirmed by a PCR test.
Gardner will remain in Christchurch and in line with ICC and New Zealand Government Health guidelines will continue isolating for 10 days. She is being supported in Christchurch by Head of Performance – Women’s Cricket, Shawn Flegler.
All remaining Australian players and support staff have tested negative following subsequent RATs, and will proceed with existing plans to travel to Hamilton this evening ahead of the side’s opening match of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup against England on Saturday.
“She is being supported in Christchurch by Head of Performance – Women’s Cricket, Shawn Flegler,” stated an official Cricket Australia statement.
All remaining Australian players and support staff have tested negative following subsequent RATs and will proceed with existing plans to travel to Hamilton this evening ahead of the side’s opening match of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup against England on Saturday.
However, Australia will play their World Cup opener on March 5 where they will be pitted against England women. A total of 31 games will be played among eight teams during the marquee event, including three knockout games, to determine the new World Champion. The summit clash is scheduled to take place on April 3 at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
Meg Lanning-led side still enter the 12th edition of the one-day international tournament as six-time champions on a run of form that includes only three losses since the last World Cup in 2017.
Meanwhile, captain Meg Lanning attributed Australia’s success to squad depth, pointing out how rising stars such as Tahlia McGrath and Darcie Brown contributed to the Ashes victory alongside veterans Ellyse Perry and Alyssa Healy.
“The biggest thing for us over the last few years is that we haven’t relied on one or two players, we’ve had some really good depth in our squad," she said.
Australia Women Squad: Meg Lanning (C), Rachael Haynes (VC), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Amanda-Jade Wellington.
