New Zealand and Kolkata Knight Riders’ Tim Seifert has tested positive for the Covid-19. After Sandeep Warrier and Varun Chakravarthy, Seifert is the third player in the Kolkata based franchise’ IPL camp to test positive for the virus. New Zealand Cricket, the governing body of cricket in the Kiwi nation, has promised full support to Siefert and his family during the testing times.
“It’s really unfortunate for Tim and we’ll do everything for him that we can from this end, and hopefully he will be able to test negative, and be cleared and approved for discharge as soon as he’s well again,” NZC chief executive David White said to the official Blackcaps website.
The wicket-keeper batsman was bound to return to his home one of the two New Zealand bound charter flights arranged by the IPL Governing Council and BCCI. Now that he has tested positive, the 26-year-old would be transported to Chennai where he would be treated in the same private hospital as former Australia international and Chennai Super Kings’ assistant coach Michael Hussey.
The Whanganui born player failed both of his pre-departure RT-PCR tests and is said to be experiencing moderate symptoms. White, the NZC chief further said that they are in contact with both Siefert and his family and hope that he would get well soon to return back home.
“Since receiving the news, we’ve organised support for Tim and have also – via the players association, been in contact with his family to ensure they’re kept fully informed and updated on developments,” he said.
According to NZC, Kiwi players who are part of the World Test Championship squad, including skipper Kane Williamson, Kyle Jamieson, Trent Boult and Mitchell Santner along with one physio would be moved to Maldive from New Delhi and from there they will catch their England bound flight.