Australia suffer Covid blow on eve of Women’s World Cup
Australia’s star all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner has tested positive for Covid-19 on the eve of the Women’s Cricket World Cup and will miss the opening two matches, officials said on Thursday.
Australia all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner will miss their World Cup opener against England after testing positive for Covid.
The Belinda Clark award winner will have to isolate for 10 days & will also miss games against Pakistan & possibly New Zealand. #bbccricket pic.twitter.com/BNcAcY8o1O
— Test Match Special (@bbctms) March 2, 2022
Cricket Australia said Gardner, the 2021 Australian women’s cricketer of the year, was in isolation for 10 days in line with New Zealand health protocols.
She will miss Australia’s opening matches against England on Saturday and Pakistan next Tuesday, but could return for the fixture against New Zealand on March 13.
UPDATE: Full details from New Zealand, where Ashleigh Gardner has tested positive to COVID-19 on the eve of the #CWC22 https://t.co/kxtSVueUwa
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 2, 2022
“All remaining Australian players and support staff have tested negative following subsequent RATs (Rapid Antigen Tests), and will proceed with existing plans,” CA said in a statement.