Ashes: Australia’s Travis Head tested positive for Covid-19

Travis Head out of the 4th test against England in Sydney

Australian batsman Travis Head will miss the 4th Ashes Test against England in Sydney next week after he tested positive for Covid-19.

Travis Head made an impressive 152 runs in the first Test at Brisbane. The left-handed batsman has scored a total of 248 runs at an average of 62 in the ongoing Ashes. But unfortunately, he will remain in isolation in Melbourne for seven days.

"As part of our testing procedures, we are PCR testing players, their families and our support staff daily," a CA spokesperson said.

"Unfortunately, Travis returned a positive COVID-19 result earlier today. Thankfully, he is asymptomatic at this stage. We anticipate that he will be available to play in the fifth men's Ashes test in Hobart."

It is still not clear whether other Australian players were in close contact with Travis.

Mitchell Marsh, Nic Maddinson and Josh Inglis have been called into the squad as cover, but the experienced Usman Khawaja is favourite to take Head’s place and play his first Test since the 2019 Ashes.

Australia has already won the five-match series after victory in Melbourne gave the home side an unassailable 3-0 lead.

Head is the latest positive case on the Ashes tour with England’s coach Chris Silverwood also out of the Sydney Test after his family member failed a test.

During this tour, three support staff and four family members have tested positive.

ICC match referee David Boon, who has officiated at every Test so far, will also miss the match in Sydney after he too tested positive.