Ashes 2021-22: Sydney Test set to go ahead after whole Australia squad tests negative for COVID-19

The ongoing Ashes in Australia is grappled with multiple COVID cases. It started with some of the family members of the support staff contracting the virus during the Boxing Day Test and later head coach Chris Silverwood also had isolated after one of his family members tested positive. However, Travis Head turned out to be the first among the playing members across both teams to test positive for the virus.

He is set to miss the upcoming fourth Test in Sydney but a player testing positive had put a question mark on the Ashes going ahead itself. Head is now in isolation with his partner in Melbourne only and is expected to be available for the fifth and final Test match in Hobart.

Meanwhile, the whole Australia squad underwent RT-PCR tests after Head tested positive. And all of them have returned negative reports according to Daily Mail. The Sydney Test is now set to go ahead without much of a hindrance on January 5. Cricket Australia had actually called up three players into their squad as cover expecting a wider spread among their group. But as of now, they won’t be required it seems.

Usman Khawaja set to replace Head

Ahead of the Ashes, Travis Head was competing with Usman Khawaja for the number five slot. The former was preferred for the opening Test in Brisbane where Head smashed an aggressive 152 to seal his place for the rest of the series. But now Khawaja has an opportunity to strengthen his case as well. However, the southpaw understands that he might play only in Sydney irrespective of his performance.

“It’s one of those things where even if I do play, it’ll only be for one game. I understand that situation … hopefully I can go out there and score a hundred and do well for the team in the absence of ‘Heady’. I’ll potentially have one game for Australia here, but even if that doesn’t happen, I know there’s still …a lot of cricket on the subcontinent which I feel I’m very suited too,” Khawaja told Cricket Australia.