Dark Clouds Loom Large Over India-Australia Series As Sydney Witnesses COVID-19 Outbreak

Former Australia seamer, Brett Lee has been sent back to his home in Sydney from Adelaide after a new wave of a COVID-19 cluster in the northern beaches of Sydney. According to a report in Fox Sports, both broadcaster, Fox and Channel 7 have sent back home several broadcasting members including some commentators.

Brett Lee will not be available to do commentary any further in the ongoing Test series between India and Australia. The entire staff was tested again for the COVID-19 virus. Cricket Australia issued an order to the media asking them to contact those who have travelled to the northern beaches region in Sydney in the past three weeks.

“We had a good talk last night. He went back this morning. Of course, everyone is being responsible and he totally understood that. We have had to send out a number of staff to get them tested. Brett is in the air now, he’s gone back this morning. It was just the right thing to do and he was very comfortable doing that,” said Steve Crawley, Executive Director, Fox Sports.

India-Australia 3rd Test in Sydney in danger

28 COVID-19 cases have been observed in the northern beaches region of Sydney. It is concerning for cricket fans as India will take on Australia for the New Year’s Test in the same city from 7th January. If the cases continue to rise, it is rumoured that the Australian authorities could even decide to close the borders.

Currently, the teams are battling in an exciting contest at the Adelaide Oval. India was bundled out for 244 on the morning of the second day. In reply, Australia lost a couple of wickets to Jasprit Bumrah by the end of the first session.

After the Adelaide Test, the action will move to the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne followed by Sydney, and the final match of the tour in Brisbane.

India will be without the services of their charismatic captain, Virat Kohli after the first Test as he will return home to attend the birth of his child with his wife and Bollywood actress, Anushka Sharma. Ajinkya Rahane will take the reins for the last three Tests. Kohli was unfortunately run out in the first innings for 74 as he was involved in a mix-up with Rahane.

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