Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood added a touch of humor during the second Test against the West Indies as he playfully shooed away Cameron Green while celebrating the dismissal of Windies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite in the opening session of Day 1. Australia opted for an unchanged playing XI in the final match in Brisbane on Thursday, including Cameron Green, who had tested positive for the virus before the game. Despite the positive test, Green was cleared to play as per Cricket Australia protocols.
During the first session, Australian bowlers troubled the West Indies batters with disciplined bowling, particularly with the new ball. Kraigg Brathwaite, continuing to struggle with his batting in the series, fell to Josh Hazlewood after scoring just four runs off 25 balls.
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As Brathwaite edged a delivery to wicketkeeper Alex Carey, Hazlewood humorously gestured to shoo away the COVID-positive Green during the celebration. Green, adhering to social distancing protocols, maintained a safe distance and engaged in an ‘air fist bump’ with Hazlewood. The lighthearted moment was captured by Cricket Australia and shared on social media.
Hazlewood shoos away the Covid-positive Green! 🤪 #AUSvWI pic.twitter.com/iQFbbKfpwV
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 25, 2024
The infection saga within the Australian team began with Travis Head contracting the virus after the Adelaide Test. One day ahead of the second Test, both Cameron Green and Australia’s head coach Andrew McDonald tested positive for COVID-19. While Head has tested negative, Green and McDonald are still undergoing the recovery process.
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Cricket Australia, following their protocols, allowed Green to play in the Gabba Test, with the stipulation that he and McDonald would be separated from the group until they returned negative tests. Green observed social distancing during the national anthem and maintained a separate stance during play.
Green had returned to the team for the first Test against the West Indies after missing the series against Pakistan. However, he didn’t have a good outing in the Adelaide Test, managing only 14 runs off 27 deliveries.
