Pat Cummins, Australia's captain, received some good news on Friday when he was allowed to leave Covid isolation in Adelaide and fly back to Sydney on a single charter flight.
The world's best Test bowler was taken out of the second Ashes Test against England on Thursday only hours before it began due to close contact with a positive Covid-19 case.
He was supposed to isolate for seven days under South Australia's severe bio-security rules, but he has now been allowed to return home, where he must stay until the Third Test in Melbourne.
Cricket Australia said, "Under the protocol approved by SA Health, he would self-drive from isolation and then travel a single charter flight with the proper PPE (personal protective equipment) and hygiene controls."
"All isolation requirements in New South Wales will continue to be followed by Cummins."
On Wednesday evening, Cummins was having dinner at an Adelaide restaurant when a coronavirus-positive person was found at a nearby table.
When he realized what was going on, he isolated himself and has since tested negative for Covid.
Under Covid restrictions for the Ashes in Adelaide, Australian players are allowed to have dinner out within small groups, but they should avoid extremely crowded areas.
Cummins has not broken any of Cricket Australia's procedures, according to CEO Nick Hockley, and should be available for the third Test in Melbourne on December 26.