Somerset's Jack Brooks becomes county cricket's first COVID-19 substitute

Somerset is up against Middlesex in a league match of the 2021 edition of the County Championship at the Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton. During the match, Jack Brooks became the first player to come in as a Covid-19 substitute. On the third day of the match, Somerset replaced Lewis Gregory with Brooks as Gregory has self-isolated himself and is thus ruled out of the match.

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Gregory's girlfriend, a member of his household bubble, felt unwell and thus underwent a Covid-19 test. Though she has tested negative, as a precautionary measure, Gregory has self-isolated himself and is waiting for the second negative coronavirus report of his girlfriend.

In the wake of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the English and Wales Cricket Board has made a special rule where a player can be replaced by a like for like substitute if the cricketer shows any symptoms of the virus or requires removal from the game for any other reason related to public health guidance. However, the player once replaced can't return to the field even if he submits his negative test report.

Somerset County Cricket Club released an official statement on the matter stating, "Somerset County Cricket Club can confirm that Jack Brooks has been made available as a Covid-19 substitute for the remainder of the current LV= Insurance County Championship match against Middlesex at the Cooper Associates County Ground."

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As far as the game between Somerset and Middlesex is concerned, at the end of day three, the former need 103 runs to clinch the game. Batting first, Middlesex managed to score just 357 runs in the first innings. This was followed by Somerset posting 268 runs on the board in the second innings.

However, Middlesex failed to capitalize on the lead as in the third innings, they could post just 117 runs. In reply, Somerset is reeling at 104 for four by the end of day three.

Also read: SRH sack David Warner as captain; Kane Williamson to take over – Sky247 Blog

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