Australia legend Ian Chappell, 77, kicked out of India Test as commentator over coronavirus new strain fears

AUSSIE legend Ian Chappell was booted out of the ground that has a stand named after him over Covid fears.

The Ashes hero, 77, was forced to leave the Adelaide Oval commentary box on Friday midway through the first Test between Australia and India.

AFP - Getty

Ian Chappell was removed from the commentary box in Adelaide over Covid fears[/caption]

Chappell lives on Sydney’s Northern Beaches and the city is facing a fresh coronavirus outbreak.

That was enough for Chappell to be hooked from commentary and told to get a coronavirus test on Saturday.

He may have to isolate for 14 days and there are now fears over the third Test of this series set for the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 7.

Chappell said: “It’s disappointing but you have to do what you are told to do.

“I will have a COVID test tomorrow morning and I’m not sure what will happen after that. We will have to wait and see.

“I haven’t been to any of the places (with known Covid contacts) but once they ask about the Northern Beaches local government area, I had to say ‘yes’ to that. That triggered things off.”

ABC Sport’s Nick Morris said: “Given the recent Covid 19 outbreak in NSW, ABC commentator Ian Chappell, who is commentating the first test between Australia and India for ABC Grandstand Cricket, has had to go into self-isolation, as he is a Sydney Northern Beaches resident.

“Ian has not been in any of the high-risk locations or suburbs and has no symptoms, however it is important we follow the advice of South Australian health authorities and Cricket Australia.

Reuters

Australia are playing India at the Adelaide Oval in the first of four Tests [/caption]

“While it is frustrating for both Ian and the ABC audience, Ian is in good spirits and we’ll continue to support Ian while we work through the next steps.”

Chappell played 75 Tests for Australia before retiring in 1980.

It comes a day after ex-Aussie fast bowler Brett Lee left the Adelaide Test and flew back to Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

Lee had no symptoms but left Adelaide as a precautionary measure to return home to his family.

India travelled to Australia last month and played four of their six white-ball matches in Sydney – the other two were in Canberra.

Virat Kohli’s side had to quarantine for 14 days after travelling direct from the Indian Premier League in UAE.

Adelaide is hosting the first of four Test matches with the Boxing Day Test set for Melbourne and fixtures in Sydney and Brisbane.

India closed day two of the first Test with a 62-run lead and nine second-innings wickets in hand.