Australia have added two new bowlers to their Ashes squad after captain Pat Cummins was forced out of the second Test due to Covid protocols.
Cummins was deemed a close contact of someone who has tested positive for the virus and was replaced by debutant Michael Neser, while Steve Smith captained the side in his absence.
As a result, Mark Steketee and Scott Boland have joined Australia's Test squad in Adelaide, having been part of the Australia A side which defeated the England Lions last week.
However, Cummins is expected to be available for selection for the third Test, which gets underway in Melbourne on Boxing Day.
The 28-year-old has returned an initial negative test for Covid, but remains subject to a mandatory seven-day quarantine.
Cummins will also need to take further Covid tests on the sixth day of his isolation period and, provided he tests negative, he will be able to rejoin the squad.
South Australia's Covid protocols dictate that Cummins would need to take another test on day 13 and that he would not be able to go to a major event with a crowd of over 1,000 people for two weeks.
However, with Cummins set to fly out of South Australia once his seven-day quarantine period is over, those rules will not apply to him.
Cricket Australia's CEO Nick Hockley said they are confident that Cummins will be able to play in the third Test, saying: "Just a really unfortunate and really disappointing situation.
"I think we've just been extremely unlucky. For Pat it's just a case of wrong place, wrong time.
"Thankfully we've got great leaders to step up and step in, and hopefully there's a seven-day period and we are back to full strength come Boxing Day."
In a post on social media, Cummins wrote: "Gutted to miss this Test but really excited to see Neser finally get his chance in the baggy green.
"He has done the hard yards and is a seriously skilful player. Super frustrating but COVID has thrown us all some curve balls over the last couple of years. Will be cheering along!
