Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood humorously shooed away teammate Cameron Green Covid-19 infected Cameron Green on Day 1 of the second and final Test against West Indies on January 25. It all happened when Hazlewood was celebrating the dismissal of West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite with his teammates on the first day's opening session in Brisbane.
For the final Test in Brisbane on January 25, Australia fielded the same team as before. Cameron Green, who tested positive for Covid-19 prior to the match, was still included in the lineup, following Cricket Australia's protocols allowing him to play.
The Australian bowling attack, particularly effective with the new ball, posed significant challenges for the West Indian batsmen. Kraigg Brathwaite, continuing his batting difficulties in the series, was dismissed by Hazlewood after scoring just four runs from 25 deliveries.
In the eighth over of the first session, Kraigg Brathwaite nicked a ball from Josh Hazlewood, which was caught by wicketkeeper Alex Carey. Cameron Green, currently positive for Covid-19, conscientiously observed social distancing measures and kept a safe distance during the team's celebrations.
Josh Hazlewood playfully signaled for Green to keep his distance during the celebratory moment. In response, Green maintained his distance and humorously exchanged an 'air fist bump' with Hazlewood. Cricket Australia captured this light-hearted moment between Hazlewood and Green and posted the clip on X (previously known as Twitter).
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE…
The Covid-19 outbreak in the Australian cricket team began with Travis Head contracting the virus after the Adelaide Test. Just a day before the start of the second Test in the current series, both Cameron Green and Australia's head coach Andrew McDonald also tested positive for Covid-19.
While Travis Head has since returned a negative test, Cameron Green and Andrew McDonald are still in the midst of recovering from the virus. Green, though cleared to play, practiced social distancing during the national anthem and maintained a noticeable distance from his teammates on the field.
Cricket Australia had earlier stated that both Green and McDonald would participate in the Gabba Test, conditional on their health allowing them to compete in the longer format of the game.
“Cameron Green and Andrew McDonald will be separated from the group until they return a negative test. It will not hinder Green taking part in or McDonald attending the match in line with CA protocols,” Cricket Australia said.
Green returned to the team for the first Test against the West Indies, having been sidelined for the entire Test series against Pakistan. However, the young all-rounder experienced a challenging time in the Adelaide Test, scoring just 14 runs from 27 balls.
Talking about the match, West Indies are 134/5 at the end of 49.4 overs.
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.
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