MELBOURNE: The 27th match of the Big Bash League (BBL) between Melbourne Stars and Perth Scorchers, postponed; following a COVID-19 positive case in the home side’s camp, on Thursday.
On Thursday afternoon, a Stars support staff member returned a positive test, exposing numerous members of the team’s playing group.
All the Stars players and staff who had contact with the positive case underwent PCR tests as soon as possible, according to Cricket Australia (CA), but the results were not retrieved in time for the match to go ahead.
Pakistan’s speedster, Haris Rauf, who joined the Stars recently, was set to play his first match today.
Earlier, another Pakistani player, Shadab Khan, who joined the Sydney Sixers for the remainder of the BBL 11, had to isolate himself. The leg-spinner, who played his first match of the season yesterday, has been unable to join the squad.
Shadab, also could not share the dressing room with his teammates. The bio-secure bubble also forced the leggie to practice separately for the last night’s clash against the Brisbane Heat.
It is worth noting that England’s camp in Australia for the ongoing Ashes series has been rocked by the seventh positive COVID-19 case.
English head coach – Chris Silverwood’s family member contracted the widely spread virus; forcing the coach to isolate himself for 10 days. Assistant coach – Graham Thorpe will take Silverwood’s place in the fourth Test; starting from January 5 in Sydney.
In addition, match referee David Boon, too, contracted the virus and will miss the forthcoming fourth Test between the arch-rivals.
READ: COVID-19 keeps denting England’s camp during the Ashes
