Australia captain Pat Cummins OUT of the second Ashes Test vs England after restaurant patron tests positive for covid
AUSTRALIA captain Pat Cummins is OUT of the second Ashes Test after a patron sat near him at a restaurant tested positive.
The fast bowler was out for dinner in Adelaide on Wednesday and a customer on the table next to him was found to be positive.
Cummins did not break any protocols and left the venue immediately before contacting Cricket Australia.
He has since isolated and returned a negative test - however, he will still need to now isolate for seven days, ruling him OUT of the second Test.
The 28-year-old star is expected to play in the third Test, with Michael Nesar coming into the side and Steve Smith to captain in his absence.
A statement read that the bowler was "understandably very disappointed" with the situation.
Team-mates Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon were at the same restaurant on the night, but sat on a different table.
They have been cleared to play.
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Cummins, rated as the top bowler in the sport, took seven wickets in the first Test, including a brilliant five-wicket haul in the first innings.
Ahead of the second Test the new Aussie skipper had admitted he was determined to have a private tutorial before the end of The Ashes series.
Cummins admitted: “I haven’t really picked his brains about bowling yet but I would love to.
“Jimmy is just fantastic — more than 150 Test matches and the leading wicket-taker for England.
“The longevity is really impressive. You get niggles and injuries as a fast bowler and he’s been at it non-stop for nearly two decades.
“It just shows it’s possible to be bowling into your late 30s and still be at the top of your game. He brings experience and class to their side and is always a challenge.”