Channel 7 cricket commentary team rocked by Covid-19 scare

The Channel 7 cricket commentary team will look completely different today as Covid caused chaos for some high-profile callers.

Channel 7 was forced to make several changes to its commentary team for the third Ashes Test as Covid-19 caused chaos for the TV network and the England team in Melbourne.

A member of Seven’s broadcast staff tested positive to Covid-19 on Sunday night and before the first ball on Monday, a number of high-profile commentators were required to take Covid-19 tests and isolate until they received a negative result.

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On Monday morning, Channel 7 released a statement confirming the roster of callers would be completely different from the previous day – the Big Bash crew would replace the likes of Ricky Ponting, Glenn McGrath, Alison Mitchell and Ian Botham.

“The Seven Network confirms it is responding after a member of staff working on the Ashes broadcast at the MCG tested positive to COVID-19 on Sunday night,” Seven Network Head of Sport Lewis Martin said in a statement.

“The staff member was asymptomatic at time of testing and has been in self isolation since the moment the positive test was returned.

“Seven is activating its Covid measures to ensure the health and safety of all staff, as well as the broader community, and is working in line with all relevant guidelines and regulations. We are working closely with the MCG operational team and Cricket Australia.

“Just as the broader community is experiencing, we have Covid response scenarios to ensure the impact on Seven‘s broadcast is limited. There have been a number of changes to today’s production schedule, which will be led by Alistair Nicholson, Andy Maher and Jason Richardson with expert comments from Lisa Sthalekar, Brad Hodge, Callum Ferguson, Michael Atherton and Dirk Nannes.

“Seven‘s number one priority is the health, safety and welfare of all staff and the community.”

Former Australian seamer and Channel 7 presenter Trent Copeland tweeted: “Waiting for test results & watching on from the hotel. Big day of Ashes cricket ahead!”

The Channel 7 commentators started trickling into the venue during the lunch break after receiving their negative results.

ASHES LIVE BLOG: MCG Test day two coverage

Our @7Cricket Ashes broadcast will sound a little different this morning as most of us wait results of regulatory PCR tests, but no less good, in very capable hands! Such is the world we’re in… Stay safe all.

— Alison Mitchell (@AlisonMitchell) December 26, 2021

Ok this got big on us pretty quickly. Hope you enjoy the coverage with my great mates!! https://t.co/6Ktv6dTnf8

— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) December 26, 2021

Meanwhile, the England camp was also rocked by a Covid-19 scare, with the players and staff told to stay in their hotel following a positive test result among the family group.

The players underwent rapid tests on Monday morning before they were given the all-clear to leave the hotel and make their way to the MCG.

Play was originally scheduled to get underway at 10.30pm AEDT, but the delay meant the first ball had been pushed back to 11am local time.

Twenty minutes before play was scheduled to get underway at the MCG, Cricket Australia confirmed four members of the England camp had tested positive to Covid-19 – two support staff and two family members.

“The affected individuals are currently isolating,” the CA statement read.

“The entire playing group and all other support staff have undertaken Rapid Antigen Tests this morning and all have tested negative. The England Cricket team will also have PCR tests today, and both teams will take extra precautions throughout play. Both playing squads remain unchanged.

“There is currently no further impact on fans or other parts of the venue. Cricket Australia and the MCC will continue to monitor the situation and follow the endorsed Victorian Government Covid-Safe Event Plan.”

England players and staff appeared to be social distancing while training on the MCG ahead of day two. Later, England’s reserve players donned gloved while running drinks onto the field.

Hate to see gaps in the cordon https://t.co/8yKuut5NDz

— Ben Jones (@benjonescricket) December 26, 2021

England players running drinks with protective gloves #Ashespic.twitter.com/SrqoVGJKhh

— Andrew McCormack (@_AMcCormack7) December 27, 2021

Like-for-like substitutes can be used for players showing Covid-19 symptoms should the situation worsen.

Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley was adamant the series would proceed as planned despite the Covid-19 interruptions.

“As a precaution, the medical team suggested the entire touring party take tests,” he told reporters at the MCG on Monday.

“Thankfully, they’ve already returned negative, and we continue to play.

“We’re being extra vigilant as there are increasing cases in the community. Our protocols are designed for absolutely this set of events.

“We’ll keep working very, very hard to ensure that everyone is safe.

“I have to say I’m so proud of the work of everybody involved, in particular we thank the players but also the governments and health departments across the country.

“We’re having to learn to live with this. It is more work. You see a magnificent sight of Boxing Day Test at the MCG, the joy that it’s bringing not just to people here, but across Australia and cricket fans around the world and all of that work is absolutely worth it.

“This morning’s events are a sign of the times we’re living in. I couldn’t be more proud of everyone’s response.”

The drama comes after the day-night Adelaide Test suffered its own Covid-19 scare, with two members of the venue’s broadcast crew testing positive to the virus ahead of day four.

Australian captain Pat Cummins did not feature in the pink-ball Test after he was deemed a close contact of someone who had tested positive to Covid-19.

England was rolled for 185 on day one of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG. Australia will resume at 1/61, with opener Marcus Harris unbeaten on 20.