Matthew Renshaw’s long-awaited return to the Australian Test side has been marred by a positive Covid-19 test, with the Queenslander feeling unwell on day one of the series finale against South Africa.
The 26-year-old, who played his most recent Test in 2018, was added to the Australian squad as injury cover for Cameron Green ahead of the New Year’s Test in Sydney.
He was named in the starting XI on Wednesday morning but raised eyebrows by standing apart from his teammates during the national anthem and sitting on a plastic chair away from the dugout on the sideline.
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“The word is that Renshaw’s not feeling 100 per cent today … and didn’t want to get too close and personal with his teammates,” former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist said on Fox Cricket.
Cricket Australia later confirmed Renshaw had returned a positive RAT test but would continue to take part in the match.
The International Cricket Council permits Covid-19 replacement players in Tests, provided the symptoms occur during the match. According to ICC guidelines, the rule is “in line with concussion replacements”, allowing the match referee to approve the “nearest like-for-like replacement”.
Peter Handscomb, the Sheffield Shield’s leading run-scorer this season, was named as an emergency fielder ahead of the third Test against South Africa, adding to the situation’s intrigue.
“I still don’t know how we haven’t had Covid in our team now I think about it,” Australia captain Pat Cummins told reporters on Tuesday.
“It feels like we’re back to normal life.”
Renshaw played 11 Tests after making his international debut in 2016, scoring a century against Pakistan at the SCG in 2017.
He was dropped from the Test side ahead of the 2017/18 Ashes series, returning for one match during the 2018 tour of South Africa.
