Ahmedabad: Kolkata Knight Riders batsman Tim Seifert of New Zealand has tested positive for Covid-19 just before his flight back home. IPL stands suspended due to the rising cases of Covid-19 among players from KKR, RR, CSK, and other teams. The BCCI has arranged for chartered flights for the return of the overseas players who were playing in the IPL. But, Tim won't take the flight with his fellow NZ players as his both RT PCR tests have come out to be positive.
"Once Seifert has undergone treatment and the statutory period of isolation and has tested negative for COVID-19, he will be transferred back to New Zealand where he will undergo the mandatory 14-day period of managed isolation," said New Zealand Cricket ( NZC) in a statement. Currently, Seifert is waiting to be sent to Chennai from Ahmedabad where he would be treated in the same hospital where the Australian Mike Hussey was being treated for Covid-19.
Two chartered flights will take the NZ players back home, out of which one has already taken off. The other one is also expected to fly on Saturday. Another set of New Zealanders, comprising Kane Williamson, Mitchell Santner, Kyle Jamieson, trainer Chris Donaldson, and physio Tommy Simsek will be heading to the Maldives before they could go to England to play their World Test Championship Final against India.
Tim Seifert is not part of the NZ WTC squad so he is bound to leave for NZ after completing his 15-day mandatory quarantine and testing negative. “It’s really unfortunate for Tim and we’ll do everything for him that we can from this end, and hopefully he will be able to test negative and be cleared and approved for discharge as soon as he’s well again," said David White, NZC chief executive.
“Since receiving the news, we’ve organized support for Tim and have also – via the players association, been in contact with his family to ensure they’re kept fully informed and updated on developments.”