Travis Head’s availability for the World Cup has been questioned after he fractured his left hand during the fourth One-Day International against South Africa on Friday at the SuperSport Park in Centurion.
While attempting to pull off Gerald Coetzee’s short ball, his head was struck by his hand. The nature of the injury will be determined by additional scans, Australian head coach Andrew McDonald said.
Head played three more pitches before retiring hurt after receiving treated for his ailment on the ground. Later in the day, he returned to the field, but his left hand was now in a splint.
After the game, McDonald said, “Fingers crossed because the World Cup is rapidly approaching. At this stage, it’s a confirmed fracture and how long that timeframe is, we’re yet to determine.”
I’m not a doctor, but it seems to me that it’s a little higher up than the real [index] finger. But I’m not familiar with the actual jargon. I won’t get into the intricacies of the medical condition because it is in a joint. However, a fracture has been established, and tomorrow’s evaluation will involve another scan.
Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, and Mitchell Starc all already on the road to recovery from their own injuries, so Head’s injury only adds to Australia’s already lengthy list of worries heading into the world cup. Due to a concussion, all-rounder Cameron Green was already substituted in the first ODI. Ashton Agar, who overcame a calf strain and had to travel home to give birth to his new child, is also in pain.
Mitchell Marsh won’t bowl in the final ODI on Sunday owing to an ankle ailment, and Spencer Johnson is still out with a hamstring problem. Although they are all anticipated to be available for the India series, Head’s injury and availability for the world cup are still unknown.
Green should be available for the fifth ODI, McDonald added. McDonald stated that the medical staff had given him the all-clear. He is merely working away at getting ready. He should be available for game five, hopefully. At this time, that is the plan. Tomorrow we’ll be able to train, evaluate it, make some forced changes, and possibly have some guys that are a little sore. We’ll also need to control such individuals.
The current five-match series versus South Africa is now tied at 2-2 after the hosts won the fourth One-Day International by an impressive margin of 164 runs.
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