Australian cricket legend and ICC match referee David Boon has tested positive for COVID-19, Cricket Australia has confirmed.
Boon will isolate in Melbourne and miss the fourth Test at the SCG, set to begin on January 5.
The Tasmanian will be replaced by Steve Bernard, who will take over the match referee duties in Sydney but is expected to return for the fifth Test in Hobart on January 14.
It is understood Boon, who scored more than 7000 runs during his Test career, is asymptomatic and fully vaccinated.
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READ NOWThe 60-year-old has also had a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, according to a Cricket Australia statement.
“All players from both teams, their families, the England and Australia support staff and the match officials have been having daily PCR tests since Monday, December 27,” the statement read.
The news follows the revelation that England head coach and sole selector, Chris Silverwood, will miss the Pink Test due to being identified of a close contact of a case after a family member tested positive in Melbourne.
He will stay in Victoria and isolate for 10 days while batting coach Graham Thorpe is expected to take over.
Meanwhile in the Big Bash League, the Perth Scorchers game with the Melbourne Stars has been called off due to a COVID scare.
It is understood a member of the Stars’ staff has tested positive.