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Ben Foakes (Image Credit : Twitter)
In what comes as big news from the England camp, wicketkeeper batter Ben Foakes has tested positive for COVID -19. Foakes is the first player from the hosts' side during the three-match Test series against New Zealand to test positive. During the series, several Kiwi players tested positive. Before the series, Henry Nicholls had tested positive after his arrival in the United Kingdom.
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Alongside, Nicholls, pacer Blair Tickner, and bowling coach Shane Jurgensen tested positive last month. The team lost the first Test at Lord's by five wickets. Ahead of the second game in Nottingham, skipper Kane Williamson tested positive which is why he missed the game. After the game, all-rounder Michael Bracewell and two support staff members also got infected. Now, during the last game of the series, Englishman Foakes has tested positive.
He is the only player from his team to be tested positive. The right-hander has been replaced by Sam Billings, who was playing the T20 Blast for Kent. Billings is keeping the wickets as we speak. England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have issued an official statement regarding the development
"Details of his return to the England set-up will be announced in due course. However, it is hoped he will be fit for the Test against India starting next Friday at Edgbaston," read an official statement of the ECB.
Talking about the game, the World Test Championship 2021 winner have posted 204/5 at the time of writing. Their lead is 175 runs and counting and will be looking to set a big total for the Three Lions. The visitors are trailing by 0-2 in the series and must be looking to salvage some pride before going home.
However, this is not going to be easy. In the first two game, the Kane Williamson's men haven't been able to grab the opportunities and close out the game. Even in the first innings of the ongoing game, they let the Ben Stokes-led side score 360 all-out after putting them on the mat with 55/6 at one stage.