PAK vs AUS: Australia’s all-rounder Ashton Agar has contracted the virus infection. He will not turn up for the ODI series against Pakistan. The first ODI between Australia and Pakistan kick-started today at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
Ashton Agar experienced some mild symptoms of late. Moreover, he also became the second player after wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Inglis to get infected by coronavirus epidemic in the span of 24 hours.
Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed the development on Tuesday morning in Pakistan that Agar contracted the infection. In fact, he tested positive just 24 hours after Josh Inglis first contracted the contagious disease.
Meanwhile, in the latest development, Australia cricket team physiotherapist Brendan Wilson tested positive for coronavirus. However, on the other hand, the remaining team players and staff members returned with negative tests.
For the unversed, Agar was part of the team’s five-match T20I series against Sri Lanka. He didn’t play the first two games but went on to play the last 3 T20Is and took 3 wickets to his name.
Agar last played an ODI match for Australia against West Indies in Bridgetown back in July 2021. The all-rounder’s absence is indeed a big blow for the Australian cricket team.
READ MORE: Yuzvendra Chahal feels Fooled by RCB?, Says “I never thought I would play for some other team”
PAK vs AUS: Ashton Agar tests positive for coronavirus
Australia are already without the services of Mitchell Marsh for the limited-overs series. The all-rounder sustained a hip flexor injury at training on Monday.
On the other hand, Australia’s best batsman Steve Smith is not available for the ODI series owing to an elbow injury. The star batsman recently featured in the three-match Test series against Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Queensland player Matt Renshaw jetted off to Lahore on Monday as extra batting cover. Needless to say, he won’t be available to feature in the ODI series opener.
This is due to the fact that the southpaw will have to go through a mandatory isolation spell of three days before joining the Australian squad. Meanwhile, Queensland leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson is making his ODI debut against Pakistan today.
The leggie has been featured in the playing XI. In fact, he made his Test debut recently against Pakistan. Australia batted first in the first game against Pakistan at Gaddafi stadium in Lahore.
The visitors recently won the Test series by 1-0. Meanwhile, they posted 313/7 in their quota of 50 overs. Travis Head top-scored with 101 off 72 balls including 12 fours and 3 sixes. On the other hand, Haris Rauf and Zahid Mahmood took 2 wickets each.
Australia Squad for ODI series against Pakistan:
Aaron Finch (c), Sean Abbott, Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey (wk), Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh (officially ruled out of 1st ODI), Ben McDermott, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Adam Zampa
