Graham swaps in for Gardner at World Cup

Heather Graham has been temporarily elevated to Australia's World Cup squad in place of Ashleigh Gardner, after the spin-bowling allrounder tested positive for COVID-19 last week.

It means pace-bowling allrounder Graham, one of two reserves travelling with the 15-player main squad, will be eligible for selection for Tuesday's match against Pakistan at Tauranga's Bay Oval if required.

Gardner is undergoing a 10-day period of isolation in Christchurch and if cleared of symptoms on schedule, will be released and able to re-join her teammates in Wellington on March 12, although it is not a given that she will be deemed fit and ready to play New Zealand a day later.

While reserves can only replace injured teammates who are ruled out of the remainder of the tournament, a temporary change can be made in the case of a COVID-19 diagnosis under the ICC's World Cup playing conditions.

Graham, who played her only ODI to date against Sri Lanka in 2019, was a late addition to the touring party for New Zealand, replacing fellow allrounder Hannah Darlington as a reserve just days before departure after the NSW and Thunder young gun withdrew from the campaign to focus on her mental health.

She is one of two reserves at Australia's disposal alongside Queensland and Brisbane Heat wicketkeeper-batter Georgia Redmayne.

Australia claimed a thrilling 12-run victory over England in their opening match of the tournament but may mull changes to their XI with the Bay Oval pitch to be used for the third time in five days.

They played two spinners in the high-scoring encounter against England alongside the pace of Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown, Ellyse Perry, Tahlia McGrath and Annabel Sutherland.

Other options include spin-bowling allrounder Grace Harris, leg-spinner Amanda-Jade Wellington, and pace-bowling allrounders Graham and Nicola Carey.

Speaking on the eve of Australia's tournament opener, captain Meg Lanning reported Gardner was in good spirits in spite of her diagnosis.

"We've tried to stay in touch with her as best we can," Lanning said. "We're feeling for Ash, it's unfortunate that she's tested positive."

ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2022

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Amanda-Jade Wellington. Travelling reserves: Heather Graham, Georgia Redmayne

Australia's World Cup 2022 fixtures

Mar 5: Australia def England by 12 runs

Mar 8: v Pakistan, Bay Oval, Tauranga, 12pm AEDT

Mar 13: v New Zealand, Basin Reserve, Wellington, 8am AEDT

Mar 15: v West Indies, Basin Reserve, Wellington, 8am AEDT

Mar 19: v India, Eden Park, Auckland, 12pm AEDT

Mar 22: v South Africa, Basin Reserve, Wellington, 8am AEDT

Mar 25: v Bangladesh, Basin Reserve, Wellington, 8am AEDT

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL WORLD CUP SCHEDULE

Semi-finals

Mar 30: Basin Reserve, Wellington, 8am AEDT

Mar 31: Hagley Park Christchurch, 12pm AEDT

Final

Apr 3: Hagley Park Christchurch, 11am AEDT

All matches to be broadcast in Australia on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports