Ian Botham tests positive for Covid-19 while covering Ashes

The ongoing Ashes has been affected very badly due to the Covid-19 virus. The news that two members of the English cricket team’s support staff and two of their family members had tested positive for drugs came to light during the Boxing Day Test. At the end of the Test match, it was reported that several members of the coaching staff including pace bowling coach Jon Lewis, spin mentor Jeetan Patel, and strength and conditioning specialist Darren Veness.

One of the family members of head coach Chris Silverwood tested positive for for Covid, and Silverwood was advised to stay isolated where he tested positive. Match referee David Boon and Australian player Travis Head also returned a positive result. Sir Ian Botham, who has been covering the tournament for Channel 7 has also tested positive.

BT Sport commentator David Gower confirmed this news during the second day of the fourth Ashes Test. Mel McLaughlin Channel 7’s presenter tested positive for Covid during the Boxing Day Test and it forced her co-workers Ricky Ponting and Botham to take the PCR test.

“He’s good at shaking things off, hip replacements… normally it’s a hangover,” Gower joked of his friend. “He’ll see it off with a few bottles of red,” Gower added as quoted by DailyMail.

Channel 7 had to make some adjustments to the production team for the Ashes

When McLaughlin tested positive for the virus, the other members of the broadcasting team had to isolate. Hence, on the second day of the Boxing Day Test, the channel had to make a number of changes to the production team. Several former cricketers were called to fill in the shoes of the Ponting, Botham, and McLaughlin. The channel said this at that time:

“Seven is activating its Covid measures to ensure the health and safety of all staff, as well as the broader community, and is working in line with all relevant guidelines and regulations.

‘We are working closely with the MCG operational team and Cricket Australia.

“There have been a number of changes to today’s production schedule, which will be led by Alistair Nicholson, Andy Maher and Jason Richardson with expert comments from Lisa Sthalekar, Brad Hodge, Callum Ferguson, Michael Atherton and Dirk Nannes.”