Former Australian captain Mark Taylor says the COVID-19 situation that has thrown the second Ashes Test into chaos is “sport’s worst nightmare”.
Pat Cummins was ruled out of the match after being identified as a close contact of a positive case who was seated nearby at an Adelaide restaurant last night.
The 28-year-old, who is one Test into his tenure as Australian captain, is now isolating for seven days.
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Cummins was not doing anything wrong by having dinner at the restaurant, and isolated as soon as he became aware of the situation. He has since returned a negative PCR test and is expected to be available for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
“It’s not just Cricket Australia’s worst nightmare, it’s sport’s worst nightmare,” Taylor told Wide World of Sports.
“The obvious reaction from some people will be to suggest the players should be in a bubble, but they can’t keep doing that forever. It’s not good for them and it’s not good for the sport.”
Fellow bowlers Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc were also at the restaurant, but at a separate table to Cummins. They were deemed casual contacts and allowed to play.
“The greater issue here is what does this lead to? How will it be handled?” Taylor said.
“It’s not just about whether Pat Cummins is available as the captain and opening bowler. This could happen to anybody, anytime and anywhere.
“Somehow the authorities have got to get this right, otherwise it could happen at any stage of the series.
“I think bubbles are not good for anyone, and England said before they came here that they didn’t want to be locked up.
“They will be very reluctant to go back to a bubble situation.”
The absence of Cummins means Steve Smith captains Australia for the first time since the infamous Cape Town Test of 2018, while Queensland fast bowler Michael Neser makes his Test debut.
Despite the manner in which Smith lost the captaincy nearly four years ago, Taylor said he has no issue with the 32-year-old’s reappointment.
“From my point of view, as vice-captain he takes over the reigns. What was done four years ago was done,” he explained.
“The selectors nominated him to be vice-captain, it was ratified by the board, he should captain Australia when Pat Cummins is unavailable.”
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