Ashes 2021-22: Glenn McGrath tests positive for Covid-19, likely to miss Pink Test in Sydney

Australia and England will engage in the fourth Ashes Test from January 5 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. It will be a Pink Test which is played in the memory of Glenn McGrath’s wife Jane, who died of breast cancer. The match is used as a fundraiser to support patients suffering from this disease.

However, Glenn McGrath will most probably miss the Test after returning a positive Covid-19 report. The third day of the Pink Test is called Jane McGrath Day and it remains to be seen if McGrath returns a negative report in time to attend the event.

He would be virtually present during the opening of the match when players from both sides would be presented with baggy pink caps. McGrath Foundation’s chief executive Holly Masters interacted with the Australian media to give an update about McGrath's positive result.

“Glenn has had a PCR test which unfortunately returned a positive result,” she said as quoted by Outlookindia.

“We wish Glenn and his family good health. We are grateful to our partners at Cricket Australia and the SCG. As well as the England cricket team and the broadcasters for their ongoing support for the Pink Test and look forward to still making this the 'pinkest' Ashes,” she added.

Australia defeated England in the Boxing Day Test by an innings and 14 runs and took a lead of 3-0 in the five-match series. The English team is yet to win a Test match in Australia since the 2010-11 series when England won the urn by a 3-1 margin.

England has also not won the last three Ashes under Joe Root’s captaincy and hence, he has been criticized by former cricketers. England’s head coach Chris Silverwood has also come under heavy scrutiny after England won only one out of the last 12 Test matches under his coaching. Silverwood would be absent from the next Test as he is in isolation in Melbourne after testing positive for the virus.