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Despite having Covid since the conclusion of the first
Test match in Adelaide, Australia is optimistic that Travis Head can start in
his place in the second Test against the West Indies.
Head was scheduled to train at the Gabba on Tuesday
night with the rest of the squad, but he postponed his trip into Brisbane by
one day to allow himself more time to recuperate at home. While there is still
a chance that he will test negative prior to the game, he will still be allowed
to participate even if there are extra precautions in place.
“Think he’s almost out of it. He’s fine, feeling
good,” Pat Cummins said. “Think he’ll train tonight. Obviously, even
if he’s still positive he can still play, there’ll just be a few protocols. But
think he’s pretty close to a negative.”
Matt Renshaw was kept apart from his teammates off the
field after colliding with Covid during his comeback game at the SCG last
season against South Africa.
Australia will start unchanged after Usman Khawaja
passed his concussion tests following the hit to the head late in the Adelaide
match. Renshaw will return to the Test team after being made available to
Brisbane Heat for Wednesday’s BBL final at the SCG.
Head turned a shaky opening innings for Australia into
a lead with 119 off 134 balls in Adelaide, almost enough to win by an innings
in two days. Head’s knock proved to be the game-winning blow.
With Australia’s three frontline quicks all averaging
under 20 in day-night Tests, life is unlikely to get any easier for West
Indies’ batters. However, one element that may yet prevent a short finish in
Brisbane is the weather, with the forecast deteriorating in recent days with
significant rain now expected over the weekend.