Stranded Hussey tests negative to Covid-19

Mike Hussey, who has been left behind in India after his compatriots left on Thursday, has returned a negative test to Covid-19.

Cricket commentator Mike Hussey has rerurned a negative Covid test. Picture: Dean Martin

Mike Hussey, who has been left behind in India after his compatriots left on Thursday, has returned a negative test to Covid-19 and must pass one more before he can leave India.

The Chennai Super Kings batting coach has been in isolation since being diagnosed with the virus earlier in the week.

Hussey believes he caught it by sitting next to bowling coach L Balaji who was one of three who first fell ill in the franchise.

The side was in Ahmedabad and Hussey was flown to Chennai where the franchise believed he would be better cared for after the IPL was postponed.

Most of the the Australian contingent flew to the Maldives on Thursday where they will wait out the travel ban imposed by the Australian government.

Sunrisers Hyderabad director of cricket Tom Moody has, however, flown to Sri Lanka to take up a similar role there with that country’s national side.

There has been some suggestion those from different franchises would remain socially distant at the hotel where the Australians are saying for fear of more positives.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed on Friday the ban, which involved potential jail terms of up to six years for anybody who breached it, would lift on May 15.

“The original decision to put in place that biosecurity order until the 15th of May has proved very effective and it will run its full course until that time without any change,” he said.

“What we will be doing is receiving our first repatriation flight into the Northern Territory as part of the charter arrangements we have … to bring back those first people from India at that time.”

There are 9000 Australians in India who have registered a desire to come home with 900 considered vulnerable.

Only three flights are scheduled to the end of the month once the controversial bans are lifted but there is a chance of adding more, according to the Prime Minister.

Indian cricket authorities have offered to organise a special flight for the cricketers to get home when the ban lifts.

Hussey needs to record two negative test results before he can leave the country. It is thought he will fly to the Maldives when if the next results are clear.

Australian cricket has insisted the government approved travel by the players, staff and commentators has not come at any cost to other stranded Australians and their quarantine on return will be separate to the existing cap.