Ashton Agar ruled out of ODI series after testing positive for Covid-19
Australia's team physio also tests positive on the morning of the opening ODI; rest of the players test negative
Alex Malcolm
29-Mar-2022
Ashton Agar will not play any part in the ODI series • AFP via Getty Images
Spinner Ashton Agar has become the second Australia player to test positive for Covid-19 in 24 hours, and has been ruled out of the entire ODI series against Pakistan in Lahore.
Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed on Tuesday morning in Pakistan that Agar had tested positive, just 24 hours after Josh Inglis also tested positive. Australia team physiotherapist Brendan Wilson has also tested positive. All other players and staff returned negative tests.
Australia will also be without Mitchell Marsh, who suffered a hip flexor injury at training on Monday. Australia have a very limited squad to choose from after Steven Smith was ruled out of the series with an elbow issue.
The visitors were planning on playing two spinners in the opening ODI, which opens the door for Mitchell Swepson to possibly make his ODI debut alongside Adam Zampa.
Queensland batter Matt Renshaw was flown into Lahore on Monday as extra batting cover but has to complete three days isolation before joining the team.
Agar had most recently been a part of Australia's T20I squad for the home series against Sri Lanka; he played three matches and picked up three wickets at an average of 15.66. Agar has not played an ODI since last July, against West Indies in Bridgetown.
The three-match ODI series against Pakistan will be held entirely in Lahore, with the second match on March 31, and third on April 2.
Alex Malcolm is an Associate Editor at ESPNcricinfo