Australia recalled batsman Matthew Renshaw to the Test XI for the first time since 2018, although the Queenslander returned a positive Covid test before the coin toss.
Renshaw’s test recall is off to a bad start:-
Matthew Renshaw’s test recall is off to a poor start after testing positive for COVID-19 on the morning of the NRMA Insurance series finale against South Africa.
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Back in the team after an absence of nearly five years, Renshaw returned a positive rapid antigen test after feeling unwell prior to playing for the SCG Test.
The left-handed batsman was named in the XI anyway, listed to bat at number six, and Australia say he will “continue to participate in the match” despite his positive result.
He was being separated from the rest of the team and was sitting with the team in the dugout on the outfield during the first session of the Test.
There was no indication that the virus had spread further:-
Australia could replace Renshaw in their XI even as the game starts with him when the International Cricket Council changes the rules in 2020 to allow Covid substitutes in response to the pandemic.
After two seasons in Australia of the virus throwing up endless logistical headaches, cricket has increasingly eased the restrictions up to that point
Where COVID-19 positive Matthew Wade was set to play the T20 World Cup game against England in October before it was washed out.
It came after Tahlia McGrath played in Australia’s Commonwealth Games gold medal match last year after carrying the virus.
Reducing the chance of catching Covid has been a key focus for Australian teams in recent summers, but bio-secure bubbles are now a thing of the past, much to the relief of many.
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Cummins said before Renshaw’s Positive test:-
“I still don’t know how we don’t have Covid in our team, now that I think about it,” captain Pat Cummins said before Renshaw tested positive on Wednesday.
“It feels like it’s back to normal life. Even at Christmas, we were able to have more family there than in the past. Interstate travel, Sydney people are staying at home – life really normal looks like.
“Everyone is very excited because everyone feels their summer is back to normal. It’s great. I think you’ve seen it with the crowd too, they’ve been fantastic this summer.”
Australia squad: 1. Pat Cummins (c), 2. Ashton Agar, 3. Scott Boland, 4. Alex Carey, 5. Marcus Harris, 6. Josh Hazlewood, 7. Travis Head, 8. Usman Khawaja, 9. Marnus Labuschagne, 10. Lance Morris, 11. Nathan Lyon, 12. Matthew Renshaw, 13. Steve Smith, 14. David Warner.
South Africa squad: 1. Dean Elgar (c), 2. Temba Bavuma, 3. Gerald Coetzee, 4. Theunis de Bruyne, 5. Sarel Airie, 6. Simon Harmer, 7. Marco Jansen, 8. Keshav Maharaj, 9. Heinrich Klaasen, 10. Lungi Ngidi, 11. Anrich Nortje, 12. Kagiso Rabada, 13. Rassie van der Dussen, 14. Kyle Vereen, 15. Lizad Williams, 16. Khaya Zondo.
