Jess Jonassen tests positive for COVID-19 ahead of Ireland tour

Australian spinner Jess Jonassen will miss the first two matches of the tri-series against Ireland and Pakistan after testing positive for COVID-19 on Sunday (July 10).

Before the team's departure to Ireland for the tri-series against Ireland and Pakistan, Cricket Australia has confirmed that the left-arm spinner has been tested positive for COVID-19, so she will have a delayed arrival in Ireland.

The selectors have called in the bowling allrounder Heather Graham into the squad as back-up, and she's likely to link up with the squad in the United Kingdom in the coming days.

Graham was a travelling reserve during the ICC Women's 50-over World Cup this year and was briefly called into the main squad when Ash Gardner returned COVID-19. 

The 25-year-old is currently uncapped in T20Is, having played one ODI against Sri Lanka in 2019.

Talking about Jonassen, she is currently in isolation at home in Brisbane and will likely depart the following Monday to participate in the remainder of the tri-series. 

The left-arm spin allrounder will miss the first and second games of the series against Pakistan and Ireland, respectively, on July 16 and 17. However, she's expected to be available for the third match against the hosts on July 21.

In Jonassen's absence, Alana King and Amanda-Jade Wellington will likely team up to form a potent spin combination as they did twice during the ODI World Cup earlier this year. 

The management might also consider trying Grace Harris as Jonassen's like-for-like replacement. 

The Australian women's squad arrived in Ireland on Tuesday. They'll have several days to prepare for Saturday's opening T20 encounter against Pakistan.