LONDON: England wicketkeeper Ben Foakes has been ruled out of the ongoing Test against New Zealand at Headingley after contracting COVID-19.
In his absence, Sam Billing has been drafted into the XI as a COVID replacement. Billings has been part of Kent in the Vitality T20 Blast but will slot straight into the playing XI.
Foakes complained of a stiff back on Saturday and did not take the field on day three of the third Test between England and New Zealand. In his temporary absence, Jonny Bairstow took the gloves.
“The rest of the England party follows health protocols of symptom reporting and subsequent testing if required. There are no other positive cases in the camp,” read ECB’s statement.
