Star Australia player tests positive for COVID-19 ahead of T20I series against West Indies

Despite testing positive for COVID-19, Australia captain Mitchell Marsh has been cleared to lead the team in the opening T20I series against the West Indies on Friday. Cricket Australia has confirmed that Marsh will be permitted to fulfill his captaincy duties while adhering to strict social-distancing protocols. This is also not the first time when the COVID-19 virus has Hit the Australian camp.

The first of the three-match T20I series between Australia and the West Indies will be held at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart. Mitchell Marsh will utilize a separate dressing room and maintain distance from his teammates while fielding. Australia faced Covid-19 concerns in the recent Test series against the West Indies when Cameron Green tested positive.  Despite this, Green played in the 2nd Test in Brisbane, adhering to distancing protocols.

In a light-hearted incident, fast bowler Josh Hazlewood was observed playfully ‘shooing away’ Cameron Green, who joined the celebration huddle after taking a catch. During the recent ODI series, Australia’s wicketkeeper Josh Inglis also tested positive for Covid-19 but was permitted to play. Head coach Andrew McDonald also fell ill with the virus, but he adhered to strict protocols while traveling with the team until he recovered.

Mitchell Marsh likely to lead Australia in upcoming T20I World Cup

Mitchell Marsh is considered a potential captaincy candidate for Australia in the upcoming T20 World Cup and will lead the team against the West Indies and in an upcoming T20I series against New Zealand. The star all-rounder will captain a side featuring the return of Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins to T20I action. There has been a noticeable increase in Covid-19 cases within the cricketing community.

During a T20I series between New Zealand and Pakistan in January, several players from the home team contracted the virus, resulting in missed matches but no serious consequences. New Zealand’s interim skipper Mitchell Santner was sidelined from the series opener due to COVID-19, and opener Devon Conway missed the fourth match after testing positive for the virus. The team’s bowling coach Andre Adams also fell ill during the series. Nevertheless, New Zealand convincingly defeated Pakistan, clinching the five-match series 4-1.