Matt Renshaw included in playing XI despite testing positive for Covid-19

Matt Renshaw Covid-19 positive

The Australian batter Matt Renshaw tested positive for Covid on the morning of the SCG match against South Africa, which was his first Test since 2018. Renshaw was picked for Australia’s XI for the final Test of the series on Wednesday despite testing positive for Covid-19. This will be his first outing to Australia in four years.

Although he had previously been included the day before in case other non-playing squad members were unavailable, Peter Handscomb was earlier named on Australia’s team sheet as an emergency fielder, allowing him to be called up as a substitute for Covid if necessary.

Have the Rules of Bio-Bubble changed or does it even exist nowadays?

Now, even if a player tests positive for Covid, they are still allowed to play in the game. In a similar situation, Tahlia McGrath competed in the Commonwealth Games final against India last year. Also Matthew Wade was scheduled to play against England at the T20 World Cup before the match was postponed.

Australia going into the final Test match with a good bowling attack

As Australia decided against using five specialised bowlers for the final Test, Renshaw is participating in his first Test since 2018. He was listed to bat at No. 6 in Sydney.

Rather, they only started Ashton Agar and Nathan Lyon as spinners and only two frontline quicks, Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. Renshaw had been in line to make the team for the UAE series against Pakistan in 2018–19 until getting injured in the warm-up game. It caused him to miss several months of work.

History of Australian Player playing despite Covid-19 Virus

Cricket has relaxed restrictions to the extent where COVID-19-positive Matthew Wade was scheduled to play a T20 World Cup game against England in October before it was postponed after the virus caused Australia unending logistical issues for two seasons. That followed Tahlia McGrath’s participation in Australia’s gold-medal game at the 2014 Commonwealth Games while infected with the virus.

The replacement-player allowance has been used in games featuring the Aussies. Most recently when Angelo Mathews was replaced during the first Test of their tour of Sri Lanka earlier this year as a result of a mid-match diagnosis. However, the Aussies have never used it in any format.

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What’s the Conclusion?

Despite his successful performance, Australia says the left-hander will “continue to take part in the match.” He was picked to the XI and is expected to bat at number six.