David Boon will Miss 4th Ashes Test Due to Positive Covid-19 Result

David Boon, the match referee for the ongoing Ashes series in Australia, has tested positive for COVID-19 and will therefore miss the fourth Test, starting January 5 at the SCG.

David Boon will be replaced by Steve Bernard, who is part of the ICC’s international panel of referees and is based in New South Wales. He is expected to return to his role for the fifth Test starting January 14 in Hobart.

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David Boon Turns 61 on December 29

David Boon, who turned 61 on December 29, is asymptomatic and has been fully vaccinated. Including the booster shot.

David Boone will remain in Melbourne, the venue of the third Test, and will quarantine for 10 days in line with Victorian state government health guidelines, meaning he must clear before the fifth Test.

All players from both the teams, their families, England and Australian support staff and match officials have been conducting daily PCR tests since Monday, 27 December.

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During the third Test, four cases of Kovid were reported in England’s touring party on the second day. Two members of the support staff and two family members of the support staff returned positive COVID-19 rapid antigen test. The game started 30 minutes late in the day after all the players came negative in the rapid test.

England Coach Chris Silverwood was also Dropped from the Fourth Test

Earlier today, England coach Chris Silverwood also ruled out of the fourth Test after a family member within the touring party became the seventh Covid-19 case. And Silverwood forced to isolate for 10 days. Graham Thorpe will take over as head coach for England for the fourth Test.

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Australia already have a 3-0 lead in the series. Who has won each of the first three Tests by easy margins. He secured the Ashes at the MCG with an innings and 14-run demolition of England, bowling out the visiting team for just 68 runs to win the Test within three days.