Cricket World Cup: Australia loses star all-rounder Ash Gardner for opening match after Covid positive

Two days ago Ash Gardner smashed 60 in a warm-up game, but the news isn’t good for Australia’s opening World Cup match.

Australian all-rounder Ash Gardner has tested positive to Covid in New Zealand. Picture: Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images

Australia could be without superstar all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner for its first three World Cup clashes after she tested positive to Covid-19 in New Zealand.

Gardner, who smashed 60 off just 32 balls in Australia’s final warm-up game on Tuesday, tested positive following a routine RAT, with her positive result confirmed by a PCR test.

She will remain in Christchurch and, in line with ICC and New Zealand government health guidelines, will continue isolating for 10 days.

Gutted for you, Ash.

Wishing you a speedy recovery ❤️ pic.twitter.com/q3cxTrg3UN

— Australian Women's Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) March 2, 2022

It means Gardner, the reigning Belinda Clarke medallist, will miss not just Australia’s opening World Cup match against England on Saturday but also the second clash with Pakistan next Tuesday.

She could come in to contention for Australia’s third match against hosts New Zealand on March 13 at Wellington’s Basin Reserve.

All remaining Australian players and support staff have tested negative following subsequent RATs.

The Aussies, raging favourites to win the World Cup, were set to go ahead with existing plans to travel to Hamilton on Thursday night ahead of the side’s opening match against England on Saturday.

Australia’s players aren’t in a quarantine bubble in New Zealand despite the country being in the grips of its worst Covid-wave, recording more than 22,000 cases this week.

Players were able to move about freely after being released early from quarantine, having spent seven days in a Christchurch hotel.

Adventures with the kids 🇳🇿👩‍👩‍👧‍👧 pic.twitter.com/ruXd1ku3FI

— Megan Schutt (@megan_schutt) February 28, 2022

Fearing the prospect of Covid wiping out bulk numbers of players the International Cricket Council altered playing conditions for the tournament allowing teams to use substitute fielders from within support staff if necessary to complete matches.

Teams only need a minimum of nine fit players for games to go ahead. There are also provisions to change the tournament fixture to accommodate teams should it be necessary.

“From a COVID-19 perspective, we need to be a little bit flexible, as far as the way in which we manage the game to take into account these unique circumstances,” the ICC’s head of events Chris Tetley said last week.

“And if they have female substitutes from within their management team, we would allow two substitutes to play – non-batting, non-bowling – to enable a game to take place. We’ll be asking teams to show maximum flexibility and we’ll be as flexible as possible if the need arises to fulfil our objective, which is to get the games on.”