Covid hits Australia camp on eve of CWC22

Gardner scored 60 from just 32 balls for Australia in their warm-up game against New Zealand on Tuesday, but has since received a positive PCR test that means the 24-year-old will have to isolate in Christchurch for 10 days.

The right-hander will miss Australia's opening game of the tournament against England on Saturday, while she will also be forced to sit out the match against Pakistan on March 8.

All of Gardner's teammates have since tested negative on RATs, meaning Saturday's clash with England will still go ahead as planned.

The ICC recently tweaked the playing conditions for the 50-over showpiece, allowing matches to go ahead with a minimum of nine players should Covid hit during the tournament.

Elsewhere, South Africa's Lizelle Lee will miss the team's opening fixture with Bangladesh, after a pre-arranged late arrival.