Pat Cummin’s Australia will look to whitewash West Indies at home when the two teams lock horns in the second Test, starting Thursday at Gabba. But ahead of the final encounter red-ball encounter, the hosts have suffered twin blows as all-rounder Cameron Green and coach Andrew McDonald have tested positive for COVID-19.
Green and McDonald fell ill after Travis Head contracted COVID at the end of the first Test in Adelaide last week, which the hosts won by 10 wickets. However, he has since tested negative and will participate in the day-night affair in Brisbane.
As stated by Cricket Australia, Green and McDonald are also expected to be involved in the match unless they feel too sick.
“Cameron Green and Andrew McDonald will be separated from the group until they return a negative test,” Cricket Australia said in a statement. “It will not hinder Green taking part in or McDonald attending the match in line with CA protocols.”
Covid protocols allow players to compete even if they do not return negative results in the next 24 hours, but they must be kept apart from the rest of the playing group.
With opener Usman Khawaja clearing concussion tests after a blow on the head late in the game in Adelaide, Australia are set to be unchanged for the match. Skipper Pat Cummins said his team’s familiarity with pink-ball Tests should work to their advantage.
“No doubt playing a pink-ball Test almost every year, and some Shield cricket over the years with the pink ball, helps us familiarize ourselves … perhaps better than oppositions can, just by experience,” he told reporters.
(With Agency Inputs)
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