Pat Cummins is having exercise equipment rushed to his hotel room as he waits to learn if he'll be able to train during his isolation with the Boxing Day Test looming
Cummins confident for Boxing Day as extra bowlers arrive
Fast bowlers Mark Steketee and Scott Boland have joined Australia's Test squad in Adelaide as officials seek clarification on the training protocols available to skipper Pat Cummins during his seven-day COVID quarantine period.
The pair flew in early this afternoon and arrived at Adelaide Oval hauling their cricket kits soon after debutant Michael Neser received his Baggy Green cap as Cummins' late replacement on day one of the second Vodafone Ashes Test.
Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley today confirmed Cummins had returned a negative test for COVID but remains subject to South Australia Health regulations which stipulate seven days quarantine from the time of exposure to the virus.
Cummins must also undergo further COVID tests on day six of his confinement, but the additional SA Health protocols – that he undergo another test on day 13 and not attend a major event where crowds exceed 1,000 people for 14 days – do not apply once he completes quarantine on December 22 and leaves the state.
By then, Australia's squad will have already flown out of Adelaide at the completion of this Test, scheduled to end December 20.
Hockley said CA remained hopeful the Test skipper would be available for selection in the third Vodafone Test starting at the MCG on Boxing Day.
"Just a really unfortunate and really disappointing situation," Hockley said of Cummins being identified a close contact of a COVID-positive case who also dined indoors at an inner-city Adelaide restaurant on Wednesday evening.
"I think we've just been extremely unlucky. For Pat it's just a case of wrong place, wrong time.
"Thankfully we've got great leaders to step up and step in, and hopefully there's a seven-day period and we (Australia team) are back to full strength come Boxing Day."
The addition of Steketee and Boland – who (with Neser) were members of the Australia A outfit that defeated England Lions in Brisbane last week - is to cover all contingencies including COVID substitutes with the pair listed as substitute fielders on Australia's team sheet for this Test.
The current 14-man squad was selected for the first two Vodafone Tests and selectors will announce any revisions or additions after game's end in Adelaide.
Hockley said today it was yet to be determined whether Cummins would be able to gain an exemption of some sort to train outdoors during his quarantine period, but CA was in the process of ensuring he had exercise equipment available in his Adelaide hotel room.
"We're working on that at the moment," Hockley said.
"We know he has to isolate for seven days.
"What we've done throughout this period, when we've had quarantine arrangements, we've been able to get fitness and gym equipment into those environments.
"Medical teams, physios, we'll be doing everything we can within the parameters to make sure he's in the best possible shape for the next Test."
Gutted to miss this Test but really excited to see Neser finally get his chance in the baggy green. He has done the hard yards and is a seriously skilful player. Super frustrating but COVID has thrown us all some curve balls over the last couple of years. Will be cheering along!— Pat Cummins (@patcummins30) December 16, 2021
Hockley was also confident the decision to appoint former skipper Steve Smith as vice-captain, which meant he stepped in to lead the team for the first time since his suspension from the 2018 sandpaper incident at Cape Town, would be well received by the public.
"Certainly they support Steve," Hockley said when asked how he expected cricket fans to react to Smith's re-installation as captain.
"I think we ran a really constructive, thorough process for his reappointment as vice-captain and we're just so fortunate we've got Steve ready to step up and step in, in what is a very disappointing situation for everyone.
"Thankfully, the precautions are now in place and speaking to Pat this morning, what he said to me is he's looking forward to Tests three (in Melbourne), four (Sydney) and five (Hobart)."
Vodafone Men's Ashes
Squads
Australia: Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith (vc), Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner
England: Joe Root (c), James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Haseeb Hameed, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
Schedule
First Test: Australia won by nine wickets
Second Test: December 16-20, Adelaide Oval
Third Test: December 26-30, MCG
Fourth Test: January 5-9, SCG
Fifth Test: January 14-18, Blundstone Arena