Australia captain Pat Cummins was “gutted” to be ruled out just hours before the second Ashes Test against England on Thursday.

The world’s No 1 Test fast bowler was at an Adelaide restaurant on Wednesday evening when a person at the neighbouring table was identified as positive for Covid-19.

Cummins isolated when he became aware of the situation and has since returned a negative test.

But under South Australia state’s strict bio-security rules he must now stay in his hotel room for seven days, meaning Steve Smith captains the side for the first time since a ball-tampering scandal in 2018.

“Gutted to miss this Test but really excited to see [Michael] Neser finally get his chance in the baggy green,” Cummins tweeted, referring to his replacement in the bowling attack.

“He has done the hard yards and is a seriously skilful player. Super frustrating but Covid has thrown us all some curve balls over the last couple of years. Will be cheering along!”

Australian players are permitted to dine out in small groups under Covid rules in place for the Ashes in Adelaide, but should steer clear of densely populated places.

Cricket Australia chief Nick Hockley said Cummins hadn’t breached any of their protocols and should be available for the third Test in Melbourne on 26 December.

“We have protocols that flex according to the risk level of any different jurisdiction, so we are looking at it every single day,” he said.

“I think we’re pretty comfortable with the protocols for South Australia and we will keep monitoring the situation in Melbourne and in Sydney.

“We don’t want to completely lock down the players, we are very conscious of taking a proportionate approach, very conscious of their mental wellbeing,” he added.

Cummins’ absence leaves Australia without arguably their best two fast bowlers for a pink-ball Test under lights, with Josh Hazlewood also missing with a side injury.

But the situation could have been much worse with fellow quick Mitchell Starc and spin great Nathan Lyon dining in the same restaurant, but at a separate table outdoors.

“SA Health has deemed them casual contacts and they are free to play,” Cricket Australia said.

Cummins missing out opened the door again for Smith, who skippered his country until 2018 when he was axed for 12 months and banned from any leadership role for two years over his involvement in attempts to alter the ball illegally with sandpaper during a Test against South Africa in Cape Town.

The sanction expired in March last year and the star batter had made clear he wanted another chance, with his redemption complete when he became Cummins’ deputy after Tim Paine resigned as captain over a lewd text-message scandal last month.

Travis Head, who scored a rollicking century in Australia’s nine-wicket win at the first Test in Brisbane after being recalled to the side, took over as vice-captain on his home ground.

© Agence France-Presse