Second Australian player catches covid ahead of Test vs West Indies

The Australian cricket team has been struck down in the lead up to their day-night Test against the West Indies in Brisbane.

The lead up to the second Test for the Australian cricket squad has been far from ideal.

After cruising to victory in the opening Test, the Aussies have been hit hard by Covid with a second player going down to the virus.

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Following the Test in Adelaide, Travis Head tested positive to the virus before all-rounder Cameron Green returned a positive test.

Head did not participate in training on Tuesday, but is expected to line up for the Aussies on Thursday.

Green did take part in the training session before returning a positive test. Provided his symptoms are not too bad, he’s also expected to play.

The virus latched onto a third member of the squad with coach Andrew McDonald returning a positive test on Wednesday.

New protocols allowed players to compete even with a positive test, they must keep separate from their own teammates.

Cam Green has become the second player to be struck down. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

A Cricket Australia statement said it expected both Green and McDonald to participate in the Test beginning on Thursday afternoon provided they both felt well enough.

“Travis Head has tested negative to Covid yesterday and this morning, clearing him to take part in tomorrow’s match with no restrictions,” the statement said.

“Cameron Green and Andrew McDonald, however, have since been diagnosed with Covid and will be separated from the group until they return a negative test.

“It will not hinder Green taking part in or McDonald attending the match in line with CA protocols should they not test negative in the next 24 hours.”

Despite the brutal lead up to the last Test of the summer, Australia is set to named an unchanged line-up for the day-night Test.

Head was player of the match in the first Test after scoring 119 in a lowscoring affair at Adelaide Oval — his seventh Test century and yet another innings that rescued Australia from a tricky position.

The 30-year-old has excellent recent form at the Gabba – scoring a counterattacking century in the 2021-22 Ashes and an important 92 against South Africa last summer in a Test that ended inside two days.

Head has recovered. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Usman Khawaja is also set to take his spot alongside Steve Smith as the opening batsmen despite scary scenes unfolding in Adelaide.

Khawaja was struck on the jaw by a bouncer from West Indies debutant Shamar Joseph in the dying stages of Australia’s 10-wicket win in the first Test.

The veteran opener was forced to retire hurt and there were fears he had broken his jaw.

But scans confirmed Khawaja had avoided a fracture and initial concussion symptoms, clearing him to play in Brisbane.

The day-night Test in Brisbane gets underway from 3pm (AEDT) on Thursday.