Australian wicketkeeper Josh Inglis has tested positive to COVID-19 and the exiled Matthew Renshaw has been rushed to Pakistan as cover.
Cricket Australia confirmed on Monday evening that Inglis was required to isolate for five days, ruling him out of the entire one-day series against Pakistan.
The rest of the Australian squad returned negative results, but the tourists had already been rocked by the absences of a host of top-line players for various reasons, including Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Marsh, David Warner, Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell.
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Inglis’ positive COVID-19 test could result in Renshaw making his ODI debut, but the Queenslander must first spend three days in isolation.
The left-hander hasn’t played international cricket since Australia met South Africa in a Test in Johannesburg in 2018.
In 11 Tests between 2016 and 2018, Renshaw built a reputation as a batter who could blunt an opposition attack and move through the gears, but a lean run in the Sheffield Shield led to his axing.
His ability to destroy an attack was on display in an incredible Marsh Cup innings of 156 from 109 in November, when he blasted 15 fours and five sixes against South Australia in Adelaide.
Australia will face Pakistan in three one-dayers in Lahore, beginning on Tuesday, and one T20 in Rawalpindi.
Cummins’ men beat Pakistan by 115 runs in the third Test to secure a 1-0 series victory.
Australian white-ball squad: Aaron Finch (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Ben McDermott, Ben Dwarshuis, Matthew Renshaw, Mitchell Swepson, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
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