The cricket pitch at the Gabba witnessed a unique scenario during the Australia vs West Indies 2nd Test as Australian all-rounder Cameron Green took his position on the field despite testing positive for COVID-19. While this raised several eyebrows, Green’s presence was in adherence to Cricket Australia’s health protocols, which permitted his participation in the match given the current guidelines. The home team chose to stick with the same squad, fielding an unchanged Playing XI.
In the days leading up to the second Test match, the Australian team was confronted with multiple COVID cases. After Travis Head contracted the virus following the conclusion of the first Test in Adelaide, reports surfaced a day prior to the second Test indicating that Green and Australia’s head coach Andrew McDonald had also tested positive.
With the stakes high, Green took to the field, consciously maintaining distance from his teammates. This was particularly evident during the national anthems, where he stood notably apart from the group, and later as the players celebrated a wicket, Green kept his distance, avoiding physical contact.
The moment of restraint came when Josh Hazlewood achieved a breakthrough, claiming the wicket of West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite. In a dramatic delivery, Hazlewood managed to deceive Brathwaite with movement, causing the batsman to edge the ball to Alex Carey. As the Australian team huddled to celebrate, Green humorously made a gesture to join but was playfully shooed away by Hazlewood, underscoring the unconventional situation. Green, however, was seen sharing the joy from afar, respecting the need for separation due to his COVID-positive status.
This unusual scene reflected the changed dynamics the pandemic has inflicted on sports, compelling teams and organizers to adapt to ensure that matches can continue while managing health concerns. Green’s participation, despite his infection, under stringent precautionary measures, exemplified the evolving approach to sports in the context of health crises.
Australia and the West Indies faced each other with the following line-ups:
Australia’s Playing XI:
Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
West Indies Playing XI:
Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Kirk McKenzie, Alick Athanaze, Kavem Hodge, Justin Greaves, Joshua Da Silva (wk), Kevin Sinclair, Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Shamar Joseph
As the teams continued to face off in this anticipated match, it was clear that resilience and adaptability were central themes. The cricket world has indeed shown remarkable flexibility in accommodating the changes brought by the pandemic, adopting regulated health protocols and fostering a safe environment for the sport to thrive. Green, as a representative figure of this flexibility, stood out in the Test not just for his skills, but also for his adherence to the unique demands of these challenging times. The match at the Gabba proceeded with competition and camaraderie, highlighting the indomitable spirit of cricket even in the face of adversity.
