Ian Botham has reportedly tested positive for Covid-19 in Australia, where he is working with Channel 7 on their Ashes coverage.
BT Sport commentator David Gower appeared to confirm the news as he was overseeing the second day of the fourth Ashes Test in Sydney in between England and Australia.
‘He’s good at shaking things off, hip replacements… normally it’s a hangover,’ he joked of his friend. ‘He’ll see it off with a few bottles of red.’
Lord Botham (centre) has apparently tested positive for Covid-19 while in Australia working for Channel 7 on their Ashes coverage
Presenter Mel McLaughlin (left) tested positive for Covid, meaning pundits Ricky Ponting (right) and Botham were forced to take Covid tests
Channel 7 have been hit by a Covid-19 outbreak that began the day of the Boxing Day Test match at the MCG.
A member of the crew tested positive during routine testing and was asymptomatic and presenter Mel McLaughlin later revealed it was her, despite being double-vaccinated and boostered.
The 66-year-old Lord Botham and fellow pundit Ricky Pointing were forced to take PCR tests after McLaughlin tested positive and Seven had to change its broadcasting team at the eleventh hour.
David Gower, commentating for BT Sport, appeared to confirm that Botham has Covid-19
At the time, Seven said: ‘Seven is activating its Covid measures to ensure the health and safety of all staff, as well as the broader community, and is working in line with all relevant guidelines and regulations.
‘We are working closely with the MCG operational team and Cricket Australia.
‘There have been a number of changes to today’s production schedule, which will be led by Alistair Nicholson, Andy Maher and Jason Richardson with expert comments from Lisa Sthalekar, Brad Hodge, Callum Ferguson, Michael Atherton and Dirk Nannes.’
