Andrew McDonald tests positive for Covid ahead of Sri Lanka tour

Australian head coach Andrew McDonald has tested positive for Covid and will miss the first week of the Sri Lanka tour. The T20I squad has already left for Sri Lanka but McDonald couldn't travel with the team as he will have to be in isolation for seven days. 

The 40-year-old, however, is expected to join the set-up ahead of the second T20I on June 8. Australia are scheduled to play three T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests in Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, players in the ODI and Australia A squads are set to fly in later this week.

McDonald was interim head coach during the tour of Pakistan but this will be his first assignment after being appointed as Australia's full-time coach. 

In his absence, Australia will be under the guidance of assistant coach Michael Di Venuto. Spin coach S Sriram and former Australia seamer Clint McKay will also be part of the backroom staff.

Former New Zealand spinner Daniel Vettori and Victorian Andre Borovec will then join the Australian squad as assistant coaches during the Test series. Nick Jones has joined the Australia men's team staff as a physiotherapist, while Mary Spillane will be the team's psychologist.