Australia have been handed an injury below with just a few weeks left before the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 gets underway in India. Middle-order batter Travis Head has suffered a fracture in his left hand while batting during the 4th ODI against South Africa in Centurion on Friday.
Head was trying to play a pull shot off Gerald Coetzee when he copped a blow to his left glove. The physio treated him on the field but he could only face three more deliveries before taking his glove off in pain and then walking off the field.
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Australia were bowled out for 252 in chase of 417 with Head not returning to bat although he was seen on the field after the match had ended with his left hand in splint.
The 29-year-old underwent scan on Friday which has confirmed fracture and is set to undergo further tests on Saturday to determine the severity of the injury and possibly the timeline of his competitive return.
“At this stage, it’s a confirmed fracture and how long that timeframe is, we’re yet to determine that so fingers crossed clearly with the World Cup fast approaching,” Australia coach Andrew McDonald told reporters after the match.
“I’m not a medical person, but I think it’s a little bit higher up than the actual (index) finger itself. But I don’t know the actual terminology. It’s in a joint somewhere so I won’t go into the medical specifics. But, yeah, a confirmed fracture and to be assessed again tomorrow with another scan,” he added.
Head is the latest fitness concern for Australia who saw allrounder Cameron Green diagnosed with concussion in the opening match but in a positive development, he’s been cleared by the medical team.
“He’s (Green) been cleared by the medical team. So he’s just working away getting prepared. Hopefully, he’s available for game five. That’s the plan at this stage. We’ll be able to have some training tomorrow, assess that and there will be some forced changes and we’ll have some guys potentially a little bit sore. We’ll have to manage those guys as well,” McDonald said.
Head is the latest addition into the list of injured players Australia are dealing with in their lead up to the world cup. Captain Pat Cummins is recovering from a wrist fracture while Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell will also be returning after injury-forced layoffs.
Australia expect them to be fit in time for the three-match ODI series in India right before the world cup.
“The biggest concern we’ve got is some injuries to players that aren’t here,” McDonald acknowledged. “They’re progressing well, and they’ll be big inclusions, but we’d prefer to focus on what’s happening here and we’ve seen some exposure to debutants, and we’ve built a bit more depth in our squad.
“We expect (Marsh) to be back bowling in India … we’re just giving him some respite from those lower leg issues that he’s had and building him up for the World Cup. Like other players, we have to manage that and make sure we’re peaking at the right time. We’ve got Glenn Maxwell progressing well so when those players do come back and feature with the ball, it gives us a little more depth,” he added.
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