The Australian star batter may have to social distance during the Test if he continues to test positive for Covid
Head expected to play Gabba Test despite COVID bout
Pat Cummins expects Travis Head to shrug off his latest bout of Covid and be right to play in the second NRMA Insurance Test match against West Indies in Brisbane.
Head, who was named player of the match for his 119 against the Windies in Adelaide last week, contracted the virus following Australia's 10-wicket win.
The 30-year-old didn't travel to Brisbane with the rest of the squad and didn't train with the side on Tuesday night, opting to rest instead.
A spokesperson for the team said Head will take part in the optional session on Wednesday.
"I think he's almost out of it," Cummins told reporters at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane on Tuesday when asked of the star batter's virus.
"He'll be fine.
"Obviously, even if he is still positive he can still play, there might just be a few protocols."
Matt Renshaw, who played in the Brisbane Heat's KFC BBL|13 Challenger Final against the Adelaide Strikers on Monday night, is the squad's reserve batter.
It's not the first time Head had to deal with Covid during a home Test series after he was ruled out of the Melbourne Test during the 2021-22 Ashes series, which paved the way for Usman Khawaja's re-entry into the side.
If Head is still testing positive on Thursday, he would have to abide by the International Cricket Council's covid safety protocols, which includes sitting away from the rest of the team while waiting to bat and keeping distance from teammates in on-field celebrations.
The precedent has already been set amongst the Australian group, with Renshaw cutting an isolated figure during last year's Sydney Test when he tested positive during the South Africa Test.
Australia allrounder Tahlia McGrath also played in the 2022 Commonwealth Games Gold Medal match despite being a positive case.
The Aussies have a net session under lights at the Gabba on Tuesday before an optional hit out on Wednesday as they prepare for their first pink-ball Test match in over 12 months.
NRMA Insurance Test series v West Indies
First Test: Australia won by 10 wickets
Second Test: January 25-29, Gabba (3pm AEDT)
Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc
West Indies Test squad: Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Alzarri Joseph (vc), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Kirk McKenzie, Alick Athanaze, Kavem Hodge, Justin Greaves, Joshua Da Silva, Akeem Jordan, Gudakesh Motie, Kemar Roach, Kevin Sinclair, Tevin Imlach, Shamar Joseph, Zachary McCaskie
Men's Dettol ODI Series v West Indies
February 2: MCG, 2.30pm AEDT
February 4: SCG, 2.30pm AEDT
February 6: Manuka Oval, Canberra 2.30pm AEDT
Australia ODI squad: Steve Smith (c), Travis Head (vc), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Lance Morris, Matt Short, Will Sutherland, Adam Zampa
West Indies ODI squad: Shai Hope (c), Alzarri Joseph, Alick Athanaze, Teddy Bishop, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Tevin Imlach, Gudakesh Motie, Kjorn Ottley, Romario Shepherd, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr.
Men's Dettol T20I Series v West Indies
February 9: Blundstone Arena, Hobart 7.00pm AEDT
February 11: Adelaide Oval, 7pm AEDT
February 13: Perth Stadium, 7pm AEDT
West Indies T20I squad: Rovman Powell (c), Shai Hope, Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Oshane Thomas