UPDATE
Pat Cummins has been ruled out of the second Test in Adelaide after being deemed a close contact of a person who tested positive to COVID-19 on Wednesday night, Cricket Australia has confirmed.
The Australian Test captain will be required to isolate for seven days, but is expected to be available for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
Steve Smith will captain Australia in Cummins’ absence, while Michael Neser comes into the side to make his Test debut.
Cricket Australia said in a statement: “Cummins is understandably very disappointed not to be able to captain Australia for the day-night Test in Adelaide.
“Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon were dining at the same restaurant as Cummins but at a separate table outdoors. SA Health has deemed them casual contacts and they are free to play.”
EARLIER
Australian captain Pat Cummins is reportedly in doubt for the second Ashes Test in Adelaide after being deemed a close contact of a positive COVID-19 case.
The Age is reporting that Cummins was at an Adelaide restaurant on Wednesday evening with another professional cricketer where a patron at the next table was found to be a positive case.
According to the report, Cummins left the venue immediately and alerted Cricket Australia.
Sources close to the situation have stated that it’s unlikely the skipper will be free to play.
Cricket Australia is currently working out whether Cummins’ availability will be affected by the issue.
The star quick took seven wickets for the match in the first Test in Brisbane, including a five-wicket haul in the first innings.
The second Test at Adelaide Oval starts at 3pm (AEDT) on Thursday.