Australia allrounder Ash Gardner tests positive for Covid
Gardner forced to isolate for 10 days and will miss Australia's first two World Cup matches against England and Pakistan
ESPNcricinfo staff
02-Mar-2022
Ashleigh Gardner lofts down the ground • Getty Images
Allrounder Ashleigh Gardner has tested positive for Covid and will miss Australia's opening two World Cup matches against England and Pakistan.
Cricket Australia confirmed on Thursday morning that Gardner had returned a Covid positive RAT while in Christchurch and her subsequent PCR test was also positive.
Gardner will remain in Christchurch to isolate for 10 days under ICC and New Zealand Government health rules. It means Gardner is unavailable for Australia's opening World Cup match against England in Hamilton on Saturday, March 5, and Australia's second match against Pakistan at Mount Maunganui on Tuesday, March 8.
The rest of the Australia playing group and support staff have all returned negative RATs and will travel to Hamilton on Thursday night without Gardner. Australia selector and head of performance Shawn Flegler will remain in Christchurch with Gardner.
The news of Gardner's positive test comes after the ICC confirmed that there would be no strict bubble or daily testing for the tournament.