Australia head coach Andrew McDonald tests COVID positive, will miss start of Sri Lanka tour

Andrew McDonald, the newly-appointed Head Coach of the Australia Men’s team, will be missing the opening week of his side’s tour of Sri Lanka after testing positive for COVID-19. The 40-year-old tested positive for the virus on Tuesday, a day before Australia’s T20 squad’s departure to Sri Lanka. He will isolate in Melbourne for seven days and join the team in Colombo ahead of the second T20 on June 8.

“Australian men’s team head coach Andrew McDonald has tested positive for COVID-19 and will be delayed in travelling to Sri Lanka for the start of the T20I series,” Cricket Australia said on Wednesday.

Assistant coach Michael Di Venuto will guide the T20 side in his absence. 

“Michael Di Venuto will coach the Australian men’s T20 side before Andrew McDonald re-joins the squad at the conclusion of seven days of isolation,” CA added.

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The former test all-rounder served as an assistant since 2019. After the departure of Justin Langer on February 5, McDonald was elevated to the position of interim coach.  He spearheaded the historic Test series victory in Pakistan.

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In April, he was appointed as the Head Coach and the Sri Lanka series will be his first series since being appointed full-time to the role.

Australia tour of Sri Lanka:

June 7: 1st T20, Colombo

June 8: 2nd T20, Colombo

June 11: 3rd T20, Kandy.

June 14: 1st ODI, Kandy

June 16: 2nd ODI, Kandy

June 19: 3rd ODI, Colombo

June 21: 4th ODI, Colombo

June 24: 5th ODI, Colombo

June 29-July 3: 1st test, Galle

July 8-12: 2nd test test, Galle

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Australia A matches

June 8: 1st one-day game, Colombo

June 10: 2nd one-day game, Colombo

June 14-17: First-class tour match Hambantota

June 21-24: First-class tour match, Hambantota