Ashes referee Boon tests positive for Covid and will miss fourth Test

The Ashes are thrown into MORE Covid chaos as match referee David Boon is the latest to test positive and will miss the fourth Test, while England suffer outbreak in their camp and Chris Silverwood is forced into isolation

  • Ashes referee David Boon will miss fourth Test after testing positive for Covid  
  • He will be replaced by Steve Bernard before returning for fifth test on January 14 
  • It comes amid Covid fears in England’s camp with Chris Silverwood isolating 

ICC match referee David Boon has tested positive for COVID-19 and will not be available for the fourth Ashes test in Sydney from January 5, Cricket Australia has confirmed.

Boon, who is asymptomatic and fully vaccinated, will be replaced by Steve Bernard, a New South Wales-based member of the international panel of referees, CA added.

He will remain in Melbourne, where he will complete 10 days quarantine, and is expected to be available for the fifth test between Australia and England in Hobart, which begins on January 14.

Ashes referee David Boon (centre) will miss the fourth Test after testing positive for Covid

Amid a growing number of infections in Australia, Thursday’s Big Bash meeting between Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Stars has been postponed after a member of the Stars support staff returned a positive test.

Cricket Australia said: ‘The ICC match referee for the Vodafone men’s Ashes series, David Boon, has tested positive to Covid-19 following a PCR Test. 

‘Steve Bernard, a member of the International Panel of ICC Referees and based in NSW, will take over as match referee for the fourth Ashes Test match, starting on January 5 at the SCG.

It comes amid a Covid outbreak in England’s camp, with seven people from their wider touring party testing positive

‘It is anticipated that David Boon will return to the role for the fifth Test in Hobart, starting on January 14. He is asymptomatic and fully vaccinated, including having a booster.

‘Boon will remain in Melbourne and in line with Victorian State Government Health guidelines will continue quarantining for 10 days.

‘All players from both teams, their families, the England and Australian support staff and the match officials have been having daily PCR tests since Monday, December 27.

It comes as the England camp continue to deal with their own Covid fears, with as many as seven people infected in their wider touring party.

Chris Silverwood will have to miss the fourth Ashes Test after a close contact with Covid 

Coach Chris Silverwood is already self isolating and set to miss the fourth test after a family member tested positive, with fast bowling coach Jon Lewis, spin mentor Jeetan Patel and strength and conditioning specialist Darren Veness returning positive cases.

Fast bowler James Anderson said: ‘We are just hoping it’s not spreading any further and we can make sure everyone is safe and able to travel to Sydney.

‘We found out late last night (about Silverwood). It’s frustrating and we’ve been tested again this morning, the whole team,’ he said.

‘We are just hoping it’s not spreading any further and we can make sure everyone is safe and able to travel to Sydney. We’re trying to control the spread as much as possible and use the safety protocols around the hotel.

‘It’s not ideal but it’s been that sort of tour. Something has been happening all the time. Lots of stuff away from the cricket which can cause distractions, so it’s something we have to deal with.’ 




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