Women’s World Cup 2022: Australia’s Ashleigh Gardner tests positive for Covid-19, to miss two matches

The 2022 ICC Women’s World Cup will commence on 4th March 2022 at the Bay Oval. And, ahead of the mega event, Australian cricketer Ashleigh Gardner has returned a positive result for Covid-19.

Cricket Australia confirmed the same and Gardner will miss at least the first 2 matches that Australia will play against arch rivals England and Pakistan. While Australia will take on England on 5th March 2022, they are slated to lock horns with Pakistan on 8th March 2022.

Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed that all the other Aussie cricketers have tested negative. The statement also added that the Australian players will go to Hamilton to take part in their opening fixture of the World Cup.

“All remaining Australian players and support staff have tested negative following subsequent RATs. (They) will proceed with existing plans to travel to Hamilton this evening ahead of the side’s opening match of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup against England on Saturday,” said Cricket Australia in a statement.

We have some really good depth in our squad: Meg Lanning

Australian skipper Meg Lanning stated that the Aussies have good depth in their World Cup squad and they have not relied on just one or two players for their success. Adding that the kangaroos will need various players to step up on the big stage, Lanning concluded by stating that this depth is something that the Australian side will need in their World Cup campaign.

“The biggest thing for us over the last few years is that we haven’t relied on one or two players, we’ve had some really good depth in our squad. You need a number of different players at times to step up and the depth we’ve got is something we’re going to need at this World Cup,” concluded skipper Lanning.

Here is the complete Australian squad for the World Cup

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

Reserves players: Heather Graham and Georgia Redmayne