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In a significant development, New Zealand's star all-rounder Amelia Kerr has tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of the Commonwealth Games 2022. The positive result came out after a round of Rapid Antigen Tests conducted on the team members on Saturday. Following the positive result, 21-year-old Kerr is undergoing isolation at the team hotel.
As per New Zealand Cricket's media statement, Kerr is the only player from the touring squad to test positive, while the rest of the squad will continue to be monitored and tested as required. Notably, the entire New Zealand contingent had travelled for England from Lincoln on July 12 as their opening fixture is scheduled against South Africa on July 30.
Ahead of CWG, White Ferns will have a week of training at Millfield School in Somerset including two practice matches against England A, before moving to Birmingham towards the end of July for CWG. Kerr has emerged as a vital cog in the squad and has a unique record of being the youngest player to score a double century in women's cricket after she amassed an unbeaten 232 against Ireland at the age of 17 years and 243 days.
Kerr is an impactful bowler as she is known for taking crucial wickets. The star all-rounder has played 42 T20I matches and scored 234 runs and has taken 41 wickets at an average of 21.85. In ODIs, she has scored 1240 runs in 53 matches and has also taken a total of 76 wickets. During the recently concluded ICC Women's Cricket World Cup at home, Kerr scored a total of 201 runs in just seven matches and also picked nine wickets.
Notably, women's cricket will feature at the Commonwealth Games for the first time at the upcoming edition and cricket as a whole for the only the second time after a men's ODI competition was held in Kuala Lumpur in 1998, which was eventually won by South Africa.