Australian left-arm spinner Ashton Agar has tested positive for COVID-19, hours ahead of the start of the three-match One Day International (ODI) series against Pakistan at the Gaddafi Stadium here on Tuesday.
The 28-year-old Agar, who was sidelined during the ICC T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, was expected to feature alongside fellow spinner Adam Zampa in the opening ODI. Testing Covid-positive means that if Australia becomes the second cricketer to test positive in 24 hours, and has been ruled out of the entire ODI series.
Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Inglis had tested positive on Monday along with physiotherapist Brendan Wilson. Cricket Australia (CA), however, said that all other players and support staff have tested negative.
Australia will field one of the fewest white-ball sides in a long time. The tourists’ first white-ball match on Pakistani soil since 1998 is away from some of the big names including Test captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and top-order batsmen Steve Smith and David Warner.
The team will also miss paceman Jhye Richardson, who was not considered for the entire tour due to his long-term usefulness, while Kane Richardson suffered a hamstring injury during training in Melbourne a day before the team’s departure. had to face. Limited overs specialist Glenn Maxwell has also been missing since his recent marriage.
Mitchell Marsh – with 63 ODIs to his name and Australia’s second most experienced player on the tour after skipper Finch (132 ODIs), to add to his woes – may have been ruled out of the first ODI and possibly the entire series due to hip went. Flexor hurt during training on Sunday.
Get all the latest updates cricket news, cricket pictures, cricket videos, IPL 2022 Live Updates And cricket score Here