SYDNEY: Travis Head, the standout performer in the first Test against the West Indies, now confronts a fresh challenge with a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. Despite earning the Player of the Match accolade for his pivotal century in Adelaide, the dynamic batsman faces potential isolation protocols for the upcoming Brisbane Test.
Cricket Australia has officially stated that Head’s arrival in Brisbane will be postponed until Tuesday morning, affording him additional recovery time. The team, gearing up for the day/night Test at the Gabba, is scheduled to assemble on Tuesday, with the primary training session set for 5 pm.
Following illness post the Adelaide Test, Head’s COVID-19 test yielded a positive result. Despite this setback, Head maintains optimism about rejoining the team, and the delayed arrival serves as a precautionary step to ensure a negative test before integration.
In the event of Travis Head’s continued positive tests, he is anticipated to adhere to isolation protocols akin to those demonstrated by teammate Matt Renshaw during last year’s SCG Test against South Africa. Renshaw, having tested positive just before the match, played but remained isolated in a separate room when not on the field.
Similar measures were observed during the Commonwealth Games women’s cricket final in Birmingham in August 2022, where Australian all-rounder Tahlia McGrath played in the gold medal match despite testing positive beforehand.
“I think it was handled extremely well from Cricket Australia’s point of view, in terms of having protocols in place and making sure everyone in the team was comfortable that she was playing,” remarked Beth Mooney on McGrath’s situation during the Commonwealth Games final. “They did all the right things. Our medical staff did all the right things in making sure we were keeping everyone safe.”
