Sydney Test could be in chaos as Aussie cricketer tests Covid positive

Next week's fourth Ashes Test at Sydney Cricket Ground is in doubt after Australian batsman Travis Head tested Covid positive.

Urgent tests are now underway to see if it has spread through the playing group and the team has now delayed Friday's flight out of Melbourne into Sydney.

The squad's Melbourne hotel has also had to be deep-cleaned with rooms and lifts scrubbed after the Covid diagnosis.

The match is due to begin on January 5 in what is now a dead rubber after Australia's convincing 3-0 series win in Melbourne earlier this week.

Mitchell Marsh, Nic Maddinson and Josh Inglis have now been added to the Australia squad as cover as experts assess who in the team may have been close contacts.

Usman Khawaja has now been tipped to come in as a replacement in Australia's attack for his first return to the side since the 2019 Ashes tour.

'Australian batsman Travis Head has tested positive to Covid-19 following a routine PCR test,' said a Cricket Australia statement on Friday.

'Head is asymptomatic and will remain in Melbourne and isolate with his partner for seven days in line with Victorian Government Health requirements.

'He will be unavailable for selection for the fourth Vodafone men's Ashes Test, starting at the SCG on January 5.

'The remainder of the Australian squad, their families and the support staff have undergone PC and RAT tests this morning.

'Both the Australian and England squads are expected to separately travel to Sydney as planned today.'

The spokesman added: 'As part of our testing procedures, we are PCR testing players, their families and our support staff daily.

'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 Vodafone men's Ashes Test in Hobart.'

The England team has already faced several Covid scares with seven positive results in support staff and positive members, but the squad has so far escaped infection.

The Big Bash League is currently facing a Covid crisis with Thursday night's Melbourne Stars match against Perth Scorchers called off because of a positive test.

Sydney Thunder are also believed to have a suspected positive case in their squad.