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Cricket Australia has confirmed that Mitchell Marsh will captain Australia in the T20I series opener against the West Indies, set for Friday, despite having tested positive for COVID-19. Adhering to stringent social-distancing measures, Marsh will lead his team on the field, ensuring minimal contact with fellow players by using a separate dressing room and maintaining distance while fielding. The match is scheduled to take place at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart, marking the beginning of the three-match T20I series.
“Australia T20 skipper Mitch Marsh has tested positive to Covid-19 but will still play in tomorrow’s first T20 against the Windies in Hobart, in line with CA protocols. Marsh will use a separate dressing room during the match and stay distanced while on the field,” Cricket Australia said in a tweet on X (formerly Twitter).
Rise in COVID-19 cases within the Australian camp
This decision comes amid recent COVID-19 disruptions within Australian cricket. During the Test series against the West Indies, player Cameron Green also tested positive but participated in the second Test in Brisbane under similar distancing protocols. A notable moment occurred when Josh Hazlewood playfully gestured Cameron Green to keep his distance after a catch, highlighting the team's adherence to COVID-19 guidelines in a humorous manner.
Additionally, wicketkeeper Josh Inglis faced a similar situation during the ODI series, being allowed to play despite testing positive for the virus. Australia's head coach, Andrew McDonald, also contracted Covid-19 but continued to travel with the team following safety protocols until his recovery.
Mitchell Marsh likely to lead Australia in T20 World Cup
Looking ahead, Mitchell Marsh is being considered for the captaincy role for Australia in the upcoming T20 World Cup. His leadership in the series against the West Indies and his appointment as captain for a subsequent series against New Zealand showcase his growing role within the team. The squad for this series features key players like Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, highlighting the team's strength.
The rise in Covid-19 cases among cricket teams is not isolated to Australia. A series between New Zealand and Pakistan in January saw multiple members of the New Zealand team, including stand-in captain Mitchell Santner and opener Devon Conway, miss games due to the virus. Bowling coach Andre Adams also tested positive during this time. Despite these setbacks, New Zealand secured a 4-1 series victory over Pakistan.
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