Three members of the New Zealand Cricket team who are touring England right now have tested positive for Covid-19 on the morning of the squad’s first tour match in England against Sussex in Brighton.
Left-handed batsman Henry Nicholls, fast bowler Blair Tickner and bowling coach Shane Jurgensen are among the members hit by Corona. Although the other members have got a negative result, this will not affect the practice match, which the Kiwis are to play against Sussex.
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A media release from NZC confirmed that all other New Zealand team members have tested negative and that their four-day warm-up match against Sussex will go ahead as scheduled from May 20 to 23.
The trio of Henry Nicholls, Blair Tickner and Shane Jurgensen returned the positive tests
Nicholls, the left-handed middle-order player, has been a key part of New Zealand’s Test side having made eight centuries in 46 matches with an average of 40.38. Nicholls was already expected to miss the match after the left-hander picked up a calf strain in a training camp earlier this month. The middle-order batter is amid rehab to be fit for selection for the first Test, and a five-day isolation period is unlikely to aid his recovery.
Medium-pacer Blair Tickner has yet to represent New Zealand in the longer format of the game, although the 28-year-old has picked up two One Day International caps and made eight T20I appearances for his country.
Jurgensen has worked as New Zealand’s bowling coach since 2016, with his current deal running till the end of 2022. This is his second stint as the national team’s bowling coach, having previously worked with New Zealand between 2008 and 2010.
The defending World Test Champions are preparing for a three-Test series against England which begins at Lord’s on 2 June.
