Test match continues despite four Covid cases emerging in England touring party

Two users of England’s guidance workers and two spouse and children users of the guidance workers have returned constructive Covid-19 rapid antigen assessments on day two of the Boxing Day Exam in Melbourne but the match has continued as scheduled.

Engage in was delayed by thirty minutes on the 2nd early morning soon after the England staff were being delayed arriving at the floor thanks to the whole squad needing to be examined pursuing the constructive scenarios. There will be a whole spherical of PCR assessments on the England touring squad afterwards on Monday whilst excess safety measures will be taken all through play.

“Cricket Australia has been knowledgeable that two users of the England Cricket Team’s guidance workers and two of their spouse and children users have returned a constructive COVID-19 Quick Antigen Exam,” a Cricket Australia statement said.

“The affected people today are at this time isolating. The whole participating in team and all other guidance workers have undertaken Quick Antigen Tests this early morning and all have examined negative. The England Cricket staff will also have PCR assessments today, and each teams will get excess safety measures in the course of play. Both participating in squads continue being unchanged.

“There is at this time no further more impression on followers or other components of the venue. Cricket Australia and the MCC will carry on to monitor the situation and observe the endorsed Victorian Govt COVID-Secure Occasion System.”

The gamers eventually arrived and commenced their heat up in dribs and drabs but did stand in a semi-socially distanced huddle in the middle at one stage. The Australians were being unaffected acquiring arrived at the floor at their ordinary time and started their heat-ups in the nets.

The Victoria governing administration declared there were being 1999 new constructive Covid scenarios from 57,818 statewide assessments carried out on Boxing Day. But the principles in Victoria are various to what was skilled in South Australia when Pat Cummins was dominated out of the 2nd Exam in Adelaide thanks to remaining a close get hold of of a Covid situation on the eve of the Exam match. Irrespective of returning negative assessments Cummins was pressured to isolate for 7 times thanks to the principles established out by the SA health and fitness section. In Melbourne, close contacts only have to isolate right until returning a negative check.

Australian television broadcaster Channel 7 had to entirely change their commentary staff on day two in Melbourne soon after it was verified that one of their staff had returned a constructive Covid check. 7 Network Head of Activity Lewis Martin verified that the primary commentary staff, which incorporates Ricky Ponting and Sir Ian Botham are isolating and would not be section of the broadcast right until they return negative PCR assessments. Seven’s BBL commentary staff have stepped in to fill the breach.

“The 7 Network confirms it is responding soon after a member of workers performing on the Ashes broadcast at the MCG examined constructive to Covid-19 on Sunday night,” Martin said.

“The workers member was asymptomatic at the time of tests and has been in self-isolation considering the fact that the instant the constructive result was returned.

“7 is activating its Covid steps to assure the health and fitness and protection of all workers, as effectively as the broader group, and is performing in line with all appropriate suggestions and regulations. We are performing intently with the MCG operational staff and Cricket Australia.

“Just as the broader group is experiencing, we have Covid reaction scenarios in area to assure the impression on Seven’s broadcast is restricted.”