Ben Foakes (left) out of third Test with Covid-19; Rohit Sharma's availabilty for the IND vs ENG Test is in doubt now. (File)Covid cloud over jinxed India vs England final Test, after Rohit, Foakes tests positive
England Wicketkeeper-batter Ben Foakes has tested positive for Covid-19 and is replaced in England XI by Sam Billings as a like-for-like replacement.
Foakes will miss the rest of the third Test against New Zealand at Headingley.
Get well soon, Foakesy 🙏
Welcome to the group, Bilbo 👋
🏴 #ENGvNZ 🇳🇿
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 26, 2022
On a further medical assessment yesterday evening, he subsequently tested positive after administering an LFT COVID-19 test.
Foakes was unable to keep wicket on day three due to a stiff back – Jonny Bairstow took the gloves at that point – and he subsequently tested positive for coronavirus after further medical assessment.
“Details of his return to the England set-up will be announced in due course. However, it is hoped he will be fit for the Test against India starting next Friday at Edgbaston,” ECB said in a statement.
UPDATE – #TeamIndia Captain Mr Rohit Sharma has tested positive for COVID-19 following a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) conducted on Saturday. He is currently in isolation at the team hotel and is under the care of the BCCI Medical Team.
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 25, 2022
Earlier today, India Test skipper Rohit Sharma has tested positive for Covid-19. It could be a massive blow to India’s preparations for the one-off Test against England at Edgbaston starting from July 1.
According to a BCCI statement, “Rohit has tested positive in the Rapid Antigen Test in Leicester, England. His test was conducted on Saturday, June 25. He’s been placed under isolation with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) medical team supervising his health.”
There were speculations over Rohit’s health during the third day of the warm-up match against Leicestershire where the Indian skipper made 25 in the first innings.
Earlier, R Ashwin had also tested positive before leaving India which delayed his arrival.
Ahead of their fifth and last Test match against England, the India are playing a four-day tour match against Leicestershire. India currently lead the Test series 2-1. The fifth Test match, which was supposed to be held at Old Trafford in Manchester last year, was cancelled due to Covid-19.
A win or draw in the 5th Test will help them win a series in England for the first time since 2007-08.
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