Australian all-rounder Cameron Green has featured in the Playing XI for the second Test against West Indies in Brisbane on Thursday, despite testing positive for COVID-19.
Green alongside Australia head coach Andrew McDonald was diagnosed with virus on the eve of the final match of the two-Test series against Caribbean. However, as per Cricket Australia protocols, Cameron Green can still be part of the team for the 2nd Test even if his result doesn't return negative in 24 hours.
In a viral picture, Australian players assembled in line for the national anthem before the commencement of the second Test. But, Cameron Green kept his distance from his teammates as he is yet COVID-19 positive. It has been reported that Green will not come in contact with any one of his teammates throughout the match.
This is not the first incident where a player was featured in the team despite testing positive for COVID-19. During the Commonwealth Games Women's Cricket Final in 2022, Australian player Tahila McGrath played against India with the virus. Throughout the match, she wore a mask and didn't come in contact with any of her teammates.
Meanwhile, Travis Head has been cleared to play after his latest COVID-19 result returned negative ahead of the Brisbane Test. Head was the Player of the Match in the Test series opener against West Indies as he scored 119 off 134 balls in the first innings.
West Indies opt to bat first after winning the toss
West Indies skipper Kraigg Braithwaite decided to bat first after winning the toss. However, the visitors lost an early wicket in Braithwaite for 4 at 9/1.
Thereafter, Tagnarine Chanderpaul and Kirk McKenzie carried on Caribbean's batting. The pair was looking to form a good partnership until former was dismissed by Mitchell Starc for 21 at 42/2.
Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc triggered a collapse in West Indies' batting as visitors were reduced 64/5, losing three wickets in Kirk McKenzie (21), Alick Athanaze (8) and Justin Greaves (6) for 22 runs.
Kavem Hodge and Joshua da Silva revived West Indies' after batting collapse. The pair took the visitors past 100-run mark in the first innings. Hodge (44*) and da Silva (37*) are currently on unbeaten 81-run partnership for the sixth wicket as West Indies posted a total of 145/5 at the end of second session.
