BBL 2021-22: Glenn Maxwell tests positive for COVID-19

Melbourne Stars skipper Glenn Maxwell is the latest player to have tested positive for COVID-19. The development was confirmed by the management on Wednesday (January 5). He was deemed positive for the virus ahead of the side’s clash against Melbourne Renegades. Currently, the Stars skipper is in isolation. Stars have been worst affected by the COVID-19 outbreak as Maxwell become the 13th player from the club to have been affected.

The Renegades also became the fifth club to report a positive case in their dugout. Three teams have already reported cases of COVID-19. The only good news for Stars is the mandatory seven-day isolation period for players who had contacted COVID-19 is coming to an end. Adam Zampa, Marcus Stoinis, and Nathan Coulter-Nile are the players that will be available for the Stars next match against Adelaide Strikers.

The Stars had to put out a depleted team for their two matches owing to the majority of their first-choice players who had returned positive. Among the first-choice player, only Hilton Cartwright managed to avoid getting contacted with the virus. However, he admitted that is quite a mental challenge to tackle COVID.

"I've never felt more vulnerable to a virus in my entire life and I never realized how much it was going to affect my mental state," Cartwright said, according to Cricket.com.au.

"I've had form slumps, and this ranks right up there with how I actually feel about going about my business day-to-day.

"Myself and my wife have basically been locked up in our room, not sure if we're capable of catching the lift in case someone in there might have caught (COVID-19).

"Constantly, it's on your mind, and then you've got to walk out there and perform one of the biggest pressure stages in the world."

The latest news from Brisbane Heat is also not good as 15 players and staff have tested positive for the virus.