Star Australian all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner will miss the team’s opening two games in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2022 beginning on Friday after testing positive for COVID-19. The 24-year-old will remain in isolation for 10 days and will games against defending champions England and Pakistan.
Gardner is expected to be available for Australia’s third encounter against hosts New Zealand on March 13 in Wellington. Australia play England on March 5 and Pakistan on March 8.
Gardner, who hit a 32-ball 60 in Australia's second warm-up match against New Zealand on Tuesday, is likely to be replaced by pace-bowling all-rounder Annabel Sutherland or fellow spin-bowling all-rounder Grace Harris.
“All remaining Australian players and support staff have tested negative following subsequent RATs,” Cricket Australia said in a statement. “(They) will proceed with existing plans to travel to Hamilton this evening ahead of the side’s opening match of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup against England on Saturday.”
According to Cricket Australia, Chief selector Shawn Flegler will also remain in Christchurch while Gardner is in isolation. The World Cup gets underway on Friday with hosts New Zealand locking horns with the West Indies in Mount Maunganui. Six-time champions Australia are favourites to win the title.
With PTI inputs
