Cameron Green takes field despite testing positive for COVID

Australia's squad faced a COVID-19 setback ahead of the second Test against the West Indies as allrounder Cameron Green and coach Andrew McDonald tested positive on Wednesday. Despite the surprise, Green took to the field for the second Test. During the national anthem, he stood apart from his teammates to adhere to social distancing norms.

This move, however, sparks intense scrutiny due to concerns over potential health risks to other players. Green's presence raises questions about the balance between player welfare and the broader impact on the team amidst the ongoing challenges posed by the pandemic.

Batter Travis Head, who contracted the virus post the first Test against West Indies in Adelaide, displayed a negative test result on Tuesday after an individual journey to Brisbane for the second match at the Gabba. Joining the squad for training on Wednesday, Head faced no restrictions and was set to participate in the Test starting Thursday. Meanwhile, Cameron Green and coach Andrew McDonald, having tested positive, were isolated from the group pending negative results.

Playing a Pink ball Test every year helps us familiarise ourselves better than oppositions: Pat Cummins

Adhering to Cricket Australia protocols, Cameron Green could feature in the Test even without an immediate negative result, benefitting from the Gabba's provision of an extra changeroom, a measure implemented during the peak of the COVID-19 crisis. With opener Usman Khawaja passing concussion tests post a head injury in Adelaide, Australia maintained an unchanged lineup. Captain Pat Cummins expressed confidence in the team's familiarity with pink-ball Tests, foreseeing an advantage in the upcoming match.

"No doubt playing a pink-ball Test almost every year, and some Shield cricket over the years with the pink ball, helps us familiarise ourselves ... perhaps better than oppositions can, just by experience," Cummins said as quoted by cricket.com.au.