Travis Head‘s chances of playing in the upcoming ICC World Cup in India are uncertain due to a hand injury sustained during an ODI against South Africa in Centurion on September 15.
He had to leave the field after getting hit on the hand by a delivery from South African bowler Gerald Coetzee. Australia lost the match by a margin of 164 runs, being dismissed for 252 while chasing South Africa’s total of 416/5.
Providing an update on Travis Head’s injury, Australia coach Andrew McDonald mentioned that the opener’s fractured hand will undergo additional assessment on Saturday.
“It’s a confirmed fracture but as to the nature of the break and what sort of timeframe to heal, that will be assessed tomorrow. He’s going to go in for some more scans tomorrow… We have fingers crossed, clearly with the World Cup, fast approaching,” he said.
“I’m not a medical person but I think it’s a bit higher up than the finger itself … it’s in a joint (in the hand) somewhere,” McDonald added while giving further details of the injury.”
In the initial three matches of the ODI series against South Africa, the 29-year-old batsman posted scores of 33, 64, and 38. Additionally, in the third T20I in Durban, he struck an impressive 91 off 48 balls, featuring eight fours and six sixes.
Head is not the sole injury concern for Australia leading up to the World Cup
Even before Head’s fracture, Australia had been grappling with several injury setbacks. Captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Glenn Maxwell were not part of the South Africa tour due to various injuries, though they are expected to feature in the three-match ODI series in India.
Cummins was recovering from a fractured wrist, Starc had groin soreness, and Maxwell was dealing with an ankle issue. On a positive note, experienced batsman Steve Smith recently resumed net practice following his recovery from a wrist injury.
In some encouraging news for Australia, coach McDonald confirmed that all-rounder Cameron Green has received medical clearance to return from a concussion suffered during the first ODI.
The fifth and concluding match of the Australia-South Africa one-day series is scheduled to take place in Johannesburg on Sunday, September 17. The series is currently tied at 2-2.
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