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The ODI World Cup 2023 has been an event filled with ups and downs for the Australian cricket team. After two consecutive losses, they made a resounding comeback with back-to-back wins, showcasing their dominance and calibre.
Amidst all the positivity surrounding the Australian camp, there’s more good news to light up the faces of players and supporters alike as Australia’s chief selector George Bailey recently declared their injured star batter Travis Head fit to make a return.
Travis Head’s injury and road to recovery
A prominent left-handed batter, Head had suffered a hand injury during the South Africa series ahead of the World Cup 2023. Despite the setback, he was included in the Australian squad with the hope of a mid-tournament recovery.
George Bailey gives a major fitness update about Travis Head
The man responsible for shaping the Australian team’s destiny, Bailey, has now provided an encouraging update on Head’s condition in a statement shared on cricket.com.au. He revealed that Head has successfully checked all the boxes on his path to recovery, with the bone in his hand healing. The news clearly indicated that Head will soon be making a comeback in the upcoming matches.
“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,” said Bailey.
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Bailey confirms Head’s batting position
Bailey not only gave a fitness update but also confirmed Head’s batting position upon his return to the Australian side. The former Aussie cricketer declared that Head would maintain his place as a top-order batter. He emphasized that the whole point of including Head in the squad was to facilitate his return to the team, not to risk him by bringing him back too early.
“But clearly the whole point of having him (in the squad) and carrying him to this point is not to then risk it by bringing him back early. Clearly (Head) comes in at the top. He’s been fantastic there for us, and that’s where he’ll slot in,” explained the veteran batter.
Australia’s current opening pair
At present, Australia has David Warner and Mitchell Marsh as their opening batters. The duo recently displayed their brilliance by notching up remarkable centuries against Pakistan. Although the return of Head would mean Marsh coming out to bat at no. 3, it will surely add further strength to Australia’s batting lineup, making them an even more formidable force in the ongoing World Cup.
