With Covid-19, Australia’s McDonald misses start of Sri Lanka tour
Australia head coach Andrew McDonald has tested positive for Covid-19 and will join the team in Sri Lanka after completing a week of isolation, according to a Cricket Australia news service.
Australia’s first tour of Sri Lanka in six years, which features eight limited-overs matches and two tests, marks the beginning of McDonald’s tenure since succeeding Justin Langer in the job last month.
Rest up, coach 🙏
Michael Di Venuto will coach the Australian men’s T20 side before Andrew McDonald re-joins the squad at the conclusion of seven days isolation. pic.twitter.com/QYDoB5kMAvBest of Express PremiumPremiumPremiumPremiumPremium
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) June 1, 2022
Assant coach Michael Di Venuto would oversee the team in the first T20 match on June 7, while McDonald was expected to join the squad ahead of the second match, the news service, cricket.com.au, reported.
Mark your calendars ✍️
Here’s your schedule for #SLvAUS ⤵️ #CheerForLions pic.twitter.com/jqbKUvKyj6
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) June 1, 2022
McDonald returned a positive result on Tuesday afternoon, it added.
The Australia squad raised concerns about touring Sri Lanka, which is in the midst of an economic crisis, but the cricket board of the South Asian country has declared the tour will go on as scheduled.