ICC T20 World Cup 2022: Matthew Wade Tests Covid Positive Ahead Of Australia Clash

Veteran Australia National Cricket Team wicketkeeper-batter Matthew Wade has tested positive for Covid-19. He has become the second Australian player after the leg-spinner Adam Zampa to contract the Covid-19 virus in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022.

According to a report in Cricket.com.au, Matthew Wade is having only minor symptoms and he is most likely to feature in the virtual quarter-final against England National Cricket Team at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday. He will only be kept out of the playing XI if his condition deteriorates.

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The development of Matthew Wade being tested for Covid-19 was confirmed by an Australian team spokesperson and it has been informed that the wicketkeeper-batter returned with a positive test on Wednesday evening.

Wade is the only wicketkeeper-batter in Australia’s ICC T20 World Cup 2022 15-man squad after Josh Inglis got ruled out of the competition after suffering a hand injury.

David Warner Might Keep Wickets If Matthew Wade Doesn’t Recover In Time

Previously, Aaron Finch had stated that the veteran opener David Warner would keep the wickets for the side in the absence of Wade.

“Probably, David Warner I would think, he did a little bit of practice yesterday. Myself, maybe captaining and keeping, when you haven’t done it before, it’s a little bit tougher. Maybe Mitchell Starc can bowl a few upfront, take the gloves in the middle and then bowl again at the end. But probably David, that’s a risk we are prepared to take at the moment,” Finch was quoted as saying in the pre-match press conference.

However, the defending champions are confident that Matthew Wade would be healthy enough to participate in the high-profile game against England. Notably, the rules in place in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 permit players, who have tested positive for Covid-19, to participate in the games.

Australia squad for the World Cup: Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Aaron Finch (c), Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa

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