Australia’s cricket squad faces a Covid-19 challenge as they gear up for the second Test against the West Indies. The most recent victims of the virus include all-rounder Cameron Green and coach Andrew McDonald, both testing positive on Wednesday. This follows an earlier infection by batsman Travis Head after the conclusion of the first Test in Adelaide, where the hosts dominated with a 10-wicket victory.
Despite Head subsequently testing negative and being set to play in the upcoming match in Brisbane, Green and McDonald are also expected to participate, provided they have health permits. Cricket Australia assured that both individuals would remain isolated until they returned negative test results but emphasized that, following established protocols, this would not hinder their involvement in the match.
Under Covid protocols, players can still compete within the next 24 hours, even if their test results are not yet negative. However, they must maintain separation from the rest of the team. Fortunately, with opener Usman Khawaja clearing concussion tests after a head injury in the previous game, Australia are poised to field an unchanged lineup for the match.
Expressing confidence, Captain Pat Cummins highlighted the team’s advantage in pink-ball Tests, having played them regularly.
No doubt playing a pink-ball Test almost every year… helps us familiarize ourselves… perhaps better than oppositions can, just by experience,
he remarked during a media interaction.
