Australia’s preparations take another Covid hit as Cameron Green and Andrew McDonald test positive

The second Test between Australia and the West Indies begins at Gabba on Thursday, and Pat Cummin's team will be hoping to thrash the visitors at home.

However, the hosts have been dealt a double blow ahead of the last red-ball match, as both coach Andrew McDonald and all-rounder Cameron Green have tested positive for COVID-19.

Following Travis Head's COVID-19 infection after the first Test match in Adelaide last week, which the home team won by ten wickets, Green and McDonald became ill. According to Cricket Australia, unless they feel too ill, Green and McDonald are also anticipated to participate in the game.

“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.

Australia will start the encounter unaltered after Usman Khawaja, who was hit in the head late in the Adelaide game, passed concussion tests. The team's experience with pink-ball tests, according to captain Pat Cummins, should work in their favour.