Travis Head's 50-over World Cup hopes have grown shakier with the decision being made for the Australian opener to return home instead of going to India for a three-match series, having fractured a hand.
Head fractured his left hand in the fourth one-dayer of Australia's ongoing series against South Africa, when fast bowler Gerald Coetzee struck him on the glove with a short ball.
If Head is removed from Australia's World Cup squad, which was picked on September 6, he will likely be replaced at the top of the order by Mitchell Marsh and in the squad by Marnus Labuschagne.
READ MORE: 'An inspiration': Rugby league 'trailblazer' dead
READ MORE: Legends defend 'human being' referee after blunders
EXCLUSIVE: Aussie icon's 'incredible' feeling after Sydney triumph
There are also injury concerns hanging over the squad picked for the ODI series in India, beginning on Friday, with Pat Cummins (wrist), Mitchell Starc (groin and shoulder) and Steve Smith (wrist) still hampered in the wake of the six-Test tour of the UK.
Glenn Maxwell is another squad member under an injury cloud with the destructive all-rounder experiencing complications with his left leg, which he broke at a birthday party in November last year.
Labuschagne sent Australia's selectors a couple of emphatic statements in the first two games of the ongoing ODI series in South Africa, scoring an unbeaten 80 in Bloemfontein and 124 at the same venue.
Australia's Test first drop will compete against the likes of Cameron Green and Josh Inglis for a middle-order spot if drafted into the World Cup squad, which will be whittled down from 18 to 15.
The Australians will play three ODIs against India as well as five T20s.
They will then begin their World Cup campaign against India in Chennai on October 8.
Australian ODI squad for India series
Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.