Before their second Test match against the West Indies in Brisbane, the Australian cricket team was informed on Monday of both positive and negative news about their batsmen, Travis Head and Usman Khawaja.
While Head may have to miss the game because of a positive COVID-19 test, Khawaja is expected to play as his head ailment has been resolved. After Australia won the opening Test match of the series by 10 wickets, Head became unwell, and Khawaja was struck on the head by a bouncer from Shamar Joseph.
Following the match, he took a COVID test, and the results showed that he was positive. The 30-year-old will stay in isolation until January 23 to give himself more time to heal before reporting to the Brisbane squad.
Head has now caught the flu twice after 2021, missing the fourth Ashes Test against England in Sydney as a result. Australia and the West Indies will play their second Test match at the Gabba starting on January 25.
Head was player of the match at The Adelaide Oval after scoring 119 runs in Australia's first innings while Khawaja was the next-best batter with 45.
Head has been Australia's best batter in Tests and ODIs over the last year therefore, losing him in the next match will be a massive blow for Pat Cummins & Co.
But Khawaja's news is a positive sign for the hosts as he is the only batter in the squad who is a regular opener after the retirement of David Warner.
Former captain Steve Smith opened for the first time in his career in the Adelaide Test but only managed 12 and 11* in his maiden outing.
With just one run needed to win the first Test, Khawaja was forced to leave the game hurt, after taking a severe blow to the head. Now, he has been cleared to participate in the upcoming Test since he hasn't shown any symptoms of a concussion since the incident. On Tuesday, he will return to training in Brisbane.
News
