Andrew McDonald, Cameron Green test COVID-19 positive, Travis Head returns negative

Head coach Andrew McDonald and all-rounder Cameron Green have tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of Australia’s second and final Test match against West Indies. Batter Travis Head contracted the virus after the first Test at Adelaide Oval but returned negative on Tuesday, January 23. He joined the training session on Wednesday and is now ready to play against West Indies in the second Test, which is slated to begin on January 25. 

Meanwhile, McDonald and Green are currently separated from the rest of the group and will join the squad once they test negative. There’s also a massive chance of the all-rounder missing the Gabba Test as well. Even though the protocols of Cricket Australia will allow the all-rounder to take part in the match, however, it solely depends on his fitness and recovery.

However, in case Green is ruled out of the match, Steve Smith can be seen batting in the middle order with Matt Renshaw opening alongside Usman Khawaja. 

Cummins opens up on the pink-ball challenge

The Test at The Gabba is a day and night affair, marking the return of pink balls in the longest format of the game. Australia have a lot of experience in playing Day-Night Test matches in comparison to the West Indies as skipper Pat Cummins acknowledged that and opened up about the upcoming challenge.

“For bowling, I find it is (a simple switch. You don't change too much. Just feels a little bit different in your hand. But I know the batters like that extra session or two to get used to just seeing the different coloured ball out of the bowler's hand,” Cummins was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

“No doubt playing a pink-ball Test pretty much every year, and some Shield cricket over the years with the pink ball, helps us familiarise ourselves with the pink ball perhaps a little better than oppositions can, just by experience. But I haven't played in a pink-ball (Test) for a little while now – I played one (most recently) in Hobart two years ago,” the 30-year-old added.