‘It’s a farce': Ashes covid spreader ‘very upset’ over Cummins

The man at the centre of Pat Cummins’ shock Ashes exit has been revealed. The individual is reportedly “rattled” by his Covid news.

Pat Cummins is in doubt for the second Test. Picture: Sarah Reed/Getty Images

Pat Cummins has officially been ruled out of the second Ashes Test after he was identified as a close contact of a positive Covid-19 case.

As reports leaked out that Cummins was in doubt on Thursday morning, Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed Cummins would indeed miss the match after a patron at the Adelaide restaurant Cummins was dining at on Wednesday night was classified as a positive case.

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It emerged on Thursday evening Cummins’ close contact is a Sydney grade cricketer who has travelled to Adelaide for the test match.

The individual at the centre of the drama is reported to be a friend of Cummins’ former housemate Harry Conway — an Adelaide Strikers Big Bash player.

News Corp reports the individual approached Cummins’ table at the restaurant to say hello before he received notification he had returned a positive test.

The man, Conway and Cummins all left the restaurant — which has been identified as the popular ‘Little Hunter Steakhouse’ eatery — immediately after first being told about the positive test.

The Sydney Morning Herald’s Tom Decent has now reported the cricketer who returned the positive result is “very upset”.

“Aussie guy. Sydney grade cricketer who went over with some mates to watch the game (in Adelaide),” Decent posted on Twitter.

“Knows a few players. He’s very upset at what’s transpired. Currently in a hotel by himself.

“Am told the bloke who had COVID near Cummins is pretty rattled. As you would be.”

CA released a statement on Thursday afternoon confirming Cummins would miss the match, despite returning a negative PCR test, and Steve Smith would take the reins of captaincy.

“SA Health has confirmed that Cummins is a close contact and will be required to isolate for seven days,” the statement read. “As a consequence, Cummins is unavailable to play in the second Vodafone men's Ashes Test match in Adelaide, starting today.

“We anticipate that he will be available to play in the third Vodafone men’s Ashes Test at the MCG in Melbourne.

“Cummins is understandably very disappointed not to be able to captain Australia for the day-night Test in Adelaide.

“Steve Smith will captain the team in Cummins’ absence.

“Michael Neser comes into the playing XI to make his Test debut and Travis Head will be vice-captain.

“Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon were dining at the same restaurant as Cummins but at a separate table outdoors. SA Health has deemed them casual contacts and they are free to play.”

Cummins took to Twitter to react to the news, saying he was “gutted” to miss what would have been his second Test in charge of the side.

Gutted to miss this Test but really excited to see Neser finally get his chance in the baggy green. He has done the hard yards and is a seriously skilful player. Super frustrating but COVID has thrown us all some curve balls over the last couple of years. Will be cheering along!

— Pat Cummins (@patcummins30) December 16, 2021

Australian women’s wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy responded, saying: “Someone deliver the man some whisky …”

Even the Barmy Army wished the Aussie skipper well: “Stay safe Pat, see you in Melbourne”.

Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon eat at the restaurant. Photo: MEDIA-MODE.COM

Speaking on SEN, cricket reporter Peter Lalor said Australia were “very lucky” Starc and Lyon would be able to play.

Lalor explained that Cummins was eating at the table next to a man who received his positive result while eating.

For what it's worth, incoming passengers from NSW and VIC need to be tested at airport in Adelaide, but don't need to quarantine until they get result as they were tested 72 hours earlier at home. I got my test result while out at dinner on Monday. Timeline makes sense. #Ashes

— Scott Bailey (@ScottBaileyAAP) December 16, 2021

Cricket fans slam ‘farcical’ situation

There was swift reaction from cricket fans complaining about the Covid protocols that have forced Cummins out.

3AW radio’s afternoon host Dee Dee Dunleavy was furious at the call, saying it was “absurd” Cummins should miss the match.

“He’s not a close contact, he’s a casual contact,” she said. “He has tested negative.

“We keep being told ‘let’s move on with our lives’ and our vaccination rates are fantastic … it’s just a farce.”

The fans aren’t happy about the brutal blow. Photo by Patrick HAMILTON / AFP

3AW’s Shane McInnes tweeted: “Pat Cummins ruled out of 2nd Test, despite testing negative. And now must isolate for 7 days. Farcical.

“Sports must adapt to Covid and learn to play with it. If a player tests positive, withdraw them, but if they’re vaccinated and test negative, play on.”

Channel 10’s Antoinette Lattouf wrote: “Poor bloke. I bet Cummins wishes he played an outdoor sport on a scantily populated pitch.”

Fox Sport’s Tom Morris asked: “Do we live like this forever?” He also said that Cummins would be isolating for seven days, which would mean he’d get just three days of bowling before Boxing Day.

Broadcaster Daniel Garb added: “Can the politicians/medical officers please get this message out, tell everyone to calm down, get on with living life normally and get the rock in P.Cummins’ hand. We got vaxxed for that reason”.

Under updated protocols in South Australia, the person in the restaurant who tested was allowed to be there while awaiting their PCR test results, because they were not required to isolate.

Cummins also did nothing wrong, and was permitted to eat out.

Steve Smith captaincy redemption complete

Smith was not expecting to be a captaincy replacement this quickly. Photo by Brenton Edwards / AFP

Cummins’ absence clears the path for Smith to captain Australia for the first time since the infamous Cape Town Test sandpaper scandal in 2018.

It was reported when Smith was announced as Cummins’ deputy that if the quick was to miss a game, the former skipper was in the box seat to take over the captaincy.

At the time, Cummins was asked what would happen if he rested due to his bowling workload.

“I very much doubt if I’ll rest from Test cricket,” Cummins said. “I’ve never rested from a game of Test cricket and I doubt if I’ll start now.”

However, Smith did have a taste of leading again in Brisbane last week as Cummins revealed his deputy stepped up when needed — and played a crucial role in the fast bowler dismissing Ben Stokes in the second innings.

“I was going to bowl Starcy one more, and Smithy kind of tapped me on the shoulder and said ‘I think it’s your turn’,” Cummins explained.

“I went up to (Smith) and gave him a big high-five. He was a big part of that wicket.”

Smith revealed the pair were taking a collaborative approach.

“We’re talking. Patty is making the decisions, but we’re talking and communicating,” Smith told Fox Cricket. “I get a point across, and he makes a decision … there’s plenty of communication there.”

The Ashes have been thrown into chaos. (Photo by William WEST / AFP)

Cummins’ Covid drama has caused a double change to Australia’s bowling line up, after Josh Hazlewood was ruled out through injury.

Michael Neser, who has two ODI caps and has been on the verge of making his Test debut for the past 18 months, will get his first baggy green, while Jhye Richardson was selected to replace Hazlewood.

Australia also comes into the match with an injury cloud over David Warner, who Cummins admitted was still being bothered by his bruised ribs.

“He’ll be right, he had a bat yesterday, batted with some discomfort, but knowing Davey, he’s not going to miss this one,” Cummins said on Wednesday afternoon

“He’ll be fine when the adrenaline kicks in.

“It’s one thing batting in the nets, different thing with a packed crowd.

“He didn’t have painkillers, he’s played close to 90 Tests. I’m sure a lot of them have been played with discomfort or things going into the game.”