Ollie Robinson among eight Sussex players self-isolating

Tom Clark tests positive for Covid, seven team-mates and staff member deemed close contacts

Clark, who has played seven of Sussex’s eight County Championship fixtures this season, tested positive on Tuesday and has entered self-isolation. Seven other squad members and an unnamed member of support staff were identified as “having had close contact” with Clark in the 48 hours before the onset of his symptoms.

Only Rawlins and Robinson are first-choice players in the T20 Blast, though Crocombe has made one appearance and had been named in the squad for Tuesday night’s fixture against Kent. Stuart Meaker and Ali Orr have been drafted in as cover. Sussex are fourth in the South Group, with a game in hand on the top three.

The news follows players missing games through either positive tests or track-and-trace requirements at Durham, Glamorgan, Middlesex, Nottinghamshire and Surrey earlier this season, while Hampshire, Northamptonshire and Yorkshire were all affected in 2020.

He will arrive in the UK on Thursday from the UAE, which is on the UK government’s red list for travel, meaning he will have to spend 10 days in hotel-room quarantine. As a result, he is only due to be available for the final two group games, against Hampshire and Kent on July 16 and 18. He will then stay in the UK to play for Trent Rockets in the Hundred.