Australian wicketkeeper batter Matthew Wade has tested positive for COVID-19 and becomes the second member of the Australian squad to contact with the virus during Australia’s T20 World Cup 2022 campaign.
Matthew Wade Tests COVID-19 Positive
Matthew Wade is expected to play Australia’s match against England scheduled to play tomorrow at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne.
An Australian team spokesperson confirmed the 34-year-old, the only wicketkeeper in the 15-man squad after Josh Inglis suffered a hand injury last week and was replaced by Cameron Green, returned a positive test on Wednesday evening.
There was some intrigue at Australia’s training session at the Junction Oval indoor nets on Thursday afternoon when Glenn Maxwell put wicketkeeping gloves on and did drills with assistant coach Andre Borovec, a former first-grade gloveman.
Captain Aaron Finch has previously suggested David Warner would likely stand in behind the stumps in Wade’s absence, while Finch himself has kept as a fill-in at KFC BBL level.
But the tournament hosts remain confident Wade will be healthy enough to play. A more pressing concern for them is how to ensure the virus does not spread further after Adam Zampa missed Tuesday’s win over Sri Lanka due to COVID-19.
World Cup rules permit players who have tested positive to continue playing. However, Wade will need to travel to the ground separate to the rest of the squad and will not be able to use the team changeroom prior or during the game.
Zampa meanwhile has returned multiple negative tests in recent days and was bowling in the nets at the Junction on Thursday in a strong sign he will be right to resume his place in Australia’s XI.
Australia will play their next match against England on October 28 in Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne.
Australia Squad for T20 WC 2022
Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Aaron Finch (c), Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa
Australia’s Fixtures in T20 WC 2022
Oct 22: Lost to New Zealand by 89 runs
Oct 25: Beat Sri Lanka by seven wickets
Oct 28: v England, MCG, 7 pm AEDT
Oct 31: v Ireland, Gabba, 7 pm AEDT
Nov 4: v Afghanistan, Adelaide Oval, 7 pm AEDT
