Lanning accepts COVID Cup 'inevitablity'

Players have accepted the inevitability of a COVID-plagued Women's Cricket World Cup, believing Australian allrounder Ashleigh Gardner's temporary absence is just the first.

Gardner, the reigning Belinda Clark Medallist, was ruled out of the opening two matches when she caught COVID-19 in New Zealand this week.

While New Zealand has enjoyed long COVID-free stints during the last two years, in an unfortunate piece of timing, the World Cup is being staged during its biggest outbreak of the pandemic.

Approximately three per cent of the country is currently an active case.

Australian captain Meg Lanning said Gardner was well, and the team were doing their best to get on with business.

"That's what you have to do in a tournament like this," Lanning said.

The Australian skipper said Gardner had not broken any rules and was "just unlucky".

The rest of the Australian squad continue to test negative, but there are fears teammates may return positive tests in the coming days.

"There was a few nerves around in terms of whether it had spread within the group. Obviously that's the concern," Lanning said.

"We've been doing everything we possibly can to to avoid that and try and stay out of trouble.

"The fact that we've been able to isolate it just to Ash at the moment is is a really good sign ... it is sort of inevitable given the amount of cases that are in New Zealand."

England pace veteran Anya Shrubsole said her squad all felt for the Australian allrounder, agreeing with Lanning that there would be more positive cases to come.

"My thoughts go to Ash. No one wants anyone in any team to get COVID and have to isolate ... I can imagine it's pretty gutting," she said.

"I'd have been amazed if it was a COVID-free tournament."

Shrubsole,