Relief for Aussie Kane Richardson, Tests Negative for Coronavirus
Richardson, who returned with the Australian team from South Africa this week, had complained of a sore throat.
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Pacer Kane Richardson on Friday tested negative for COVID-19, paving the way for his return to Australia's squad after being ruled out of the first ODI against New Zealand owing to a sore throat.
The right-arm pacer, who returned with the Australian team from South Africa earlier this week, had informed the medical staff of a sore throat on Thursday and was sent for a precautionary testing for the novel coronavirus.
To his relief, the test results returned negative and he was on his way to the Sydney Cricket Ground, where the first ODI against New Zealand is taking place.
"He received the all-clear about 8pm (local time) and was released from his hotel room quarantine to travel to the SCG for the opening Gillette ODI against New Zealand," said Cricket Australia’s report.
Earlier, a cricket Australia spokesperson had said that the national board were following the protocols laid down by the government and had quarantined Richardson.
"Our medical staff are treating this as a typical throat infection but we are following Australian government protocols that require us to keep Kane away from other members of the squad and perform the appropriate tests given he has returned from international travel in the last 14 days," a Cricket Australia spokesperson had been quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.
Australia and New Zealand are engaged in a three-match ODI series that started here on Friday.
The matches are to be played behind closed doors in a bid to control the spread of the coronavirus that has so far claimed close to 5000 lives.
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