(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] Australia opener Travis Head will join the team ahead of their next World Cup 2023 clash against the Netherlands team, scheduled on the 25th of October at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Head, who has been out of the team for a while but has his name in the Australian squad, is all set to join the team for the remaining matches in the ongoing tournament. He missed the initial World Cup matches due to the hand injury he sustained while playing an ODI against the Proteas in September.
Moreover, chief selector George Bailey further clarified on the record that Head will open the innings as usual with David Warner, and makeshift opener Mitchell Marsh, who recently scored hundred while opening in the tournament, will go down the order.
“Clearly, he (Travis Head) comes in at the top. He’s been fantastic there for us and that’s where he’ll slot in. And then we’ll just work out (the Playing XI) when it is, who we’re playing, the surface and what you might need,” Bailey was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
The 41-year-old also provided an update on Head’s fitness, mentioning that his recovery has ‘ticked all the boxes’ as the broken bone of his hand has healed.
“It can be a six to eight-week injury. He’s ticked all the boxes in terms of the four-week scan and the bone has healed, so that’s all going well, and he’s progressed really well through the week (since he started batting),” he added.
“But clearly the whole point of having him (in the WC squad) and carrying him to this point is not to then risk it by bringing him back early. So if it works out for that Dutch game, great. If it’s a little bit further on, then that’s okay,” he concluded.
Australia are currently at the fourth place on the points table, with two wins and as many losses. After suffering defeats in their first two games, they have bounced back to claim back-to-back victories versus Sri Lanka and Pakistan.