Australia leg-spinner Adam Zampa was left out of the playing XI against Sri Lanka in the must-win T20 World Cup match, after he tested positive for Covid-19.
Cricket Australia confirmed that Zampa has been experiencing mild symptoms. He has been replaced by left-arm spinner Ashton Agar, who had played just one match in the last edition of the T20 World Cup. He featured in the warm-up game against India.
Australia will need to defeat Sri Lanka tonight by a substantial margin to stay alive in the tournament, after losing by 89 runs against New Zealand in their opener in Sydney.
Recently, Ireland's George Dockrell had played against Sri Lanka despite being Covid positive. Dockrell took the field and made 14 off 16 balls. Dockrell was identified as "potentially positive" for the virus. Cricket Ireland had confirmed that he is being managed in accordance with the guidelines of the ICC and national authorities.
As per the current International Cricket Council (ICC) regulations, a positive test does not stop a player from playing in the ongoing T20 World Cup or training with his teammate.
However, the positive player is required to travel separately on match and training days.
The ICC Chief Medical Officer, opposition team and stadium staff were informed of the situation, in Dockrell's case.
The Australian government scrapped mandatory isolation requirements earlier this month, meaning the World Cup is being played with far more relaxed bio-security rules compared to last year's event held in a ‘bubble’ in the UAE, Cricket Australia said in a statement.
