Australian women's team suffered a major blow before the start of the ongoing World Cup as the star all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner tested positive for COVID-19 and will not feature in the marquee tournament at least till March 13.
Meanwhile, World Cup’s Event Technical Committee has approved Heather Graham as Gardner's temporary replacement.
Gardner, who tested positive for COVID-19 on March 3, missed Australia's first fixture of the mega event against England. She will remain in isolation for 10 days and perhaps has been ruled out of her side's upcoming encounter, scheduled on March 13 against New Zealand.
Once the right-handed all-rounder recovers, she will be available for selection and her temporary replacement, Graham will move out of the squad.
A temporary replacement approved by the Event Technical Committee of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022, which comprises Chris Tetley, ICC Head of Events (Chair), Adrian Griffith, ICC Senior Manager Umpires and Referees (ICC Representative), Andrea Nelson, LOC CEO (Host Representative), Catherine Campbell (Host Representative), Sana Mir (Independent), Nasser Hussain (Independent).
Graham, who is a fast-bowling all-rounder, does not have much international experience as her sole outing at the highest level came against Sri Lanka. However, the right-arm pacer grabbed eyeballs in the latest concluded Big Bash League, where she scalped 18 wickets for the tournament-winning Perth Scorchers.
Australia opened their campaign with a hard-earned victory against the defending champions, England. They will next be up against the White Ferns on March 13.