Women's World Cup 2022: Major setback for Australia as big player contracts COVID-19

The ICC Women's World Cup 2022 will start from March 4, with hosts New Zealand playing the West Indies. Ahead of the tournament, teams played warm-up matches to get acclimatized to the conditions on offer. Teams such as India, Pakistan, England, New Zealand, and Australia won at least one game. On the other hand, Bangladesh, South Africa and the West Indies didn't win a game.

Meanwhile, ahead of the main event, Australia all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner has tested positive for COVID-19 and she is likely to miss two games with the team playing its first game against Ashes rivals England on March 5. Their next game will be against Pakistan on March 8. However, all the other playing members and support staff have returned positive before heading to Hamilton for their first game. The Women in Yellow will play their next game in Mount Maunganui.

“All remaining Australian players and support staff have tested negative following subsequent RATs. (They) will proceed with existing plans to travel to Hamilton this evening ahead of the side’s opening match of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup against England on Saturday,” said Cricket Australia in a statement.

On the other hand, Aussie skipper Meg Lanning has said that the team hasn't relied on one or two players in the last few years. She added that the team need different players to step up if the team has to win the showpiece event

“The biggest thing for us over the last few years is that we haven’t relied on one or two players, we’ve had some really good depth in our squad. You need a number of different players at times to step up and the depth we’ve got is something we’re going to need at this World Cup,” concluded skipper Lanning.