In a major blow to England, star wicketkeeper-batter Ben Foakes has been withdrawn from remainder of the third Test against New Zealand after testing positive for Covid-19, with Sam Billings called up as his replacement.
Jonny Bairstow was seen keeping wickets on Day 3 as due to stiff back, Foakes was unable to keep wickets, and in the further medical assessment he was further tested positive for Covid-19.
However, the news came after India's skipper Rohit Sharma tested positive for Covid-19 right ahead of the rescheduled fifth Test against England which is slated to start from July 1 at Edgbaston.
There are no other positive tests in the England camp.
Kent wicketkeeper Billings, who made his Test debut in the final Ashes fixture n Hobart over the winter, will take over from Foakes when the fourth day starts in Leeds at 11:00 BST, live on Sky Sports Cricket.
England hope Foakes will be fit for the Test against India at Edgbaston, which starts on Friday.
An ECB statement read: "England Men's Test wicketkeeper Ben Foakes has tested positive for Covid-19.
"Foakes was unable to keep wicket yesterday on day three of the Third LV= Insurance Test at Headingley suffering from back stiffness.
"On a further medical assessment yesterday evening, he subsequently tested positive after administering an LFT COVID-19 test.
"Details of his return to the England set-up will be announced in due course. However, it is hoped he will be fit for the rearranged fifth Test against India starting next Friday at Edgbaston.
"Kent wicketkeeper/batter Sam Billings, subject to ICC approval, has been drafted in as a like-for-like COVID replacement and will go straight into the XI when the fourth day gets underway from 11.00am today. He will keep wicket.
"The rest of the England party follows health protocols of symptom reporting and subsequent testing if required. There are no other positive cases in the camp."
