Australian fast bowler Kane Richardson tested for coronavirus

Kane Richardson
Kane Richardson reported illness and missed the first ODI against New Zealand on Friday. File photo: AFP

Sydney: Australian fast bowler Kane Richardson has been tested for the novel coronavirus after he reported illness and missed the first One-Day International (ODI) against New Zealand on Friday.

The right-arm pacer, who returned with the Australian team from South Africa earlier this week, informed the medical staff of a sore throat on Thursday and was tested for the virus, though the results of the test are awaited.

"Our medical staff are treating this as a typical throat infection but we are following Australian Government protocols that require us to keep Kane away from other members of the squad and perform the appropriate tests given he has returned from international travel in the last 14 days," a Cricket Australia spokesperson was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

"Once we receive the results of the tests and Kane recovers in the next few days we expect he will re-join the team. We will not be making further comment until something changes."

The 29-year-old will be replaced by Sean Abbott, who was a part of Australia's T20 squad that toured South Africa.

The three-match ODI series will be played without fans in a bid to control the coronavirus pandemic that has rocked the world.

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