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Australia cricket legend, Mark Taylor, has provided insights into the player who may need to make way in the playing XI to accommodate Travis Head in the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023.
Australia’s CWC 2023 journey: Twists and turns
Australia’s path in the CWC 2023 have been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride, marked by thrilling highs and initial lows. After enduring early defeats, Australia bounced back with remarkable victories over Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
The role dilemma: Travis Head’s position in the batting order
As Australia currently occupies the fourth position in the tournament standings, the inclusion of Travis Head into the playing XI seems highly probable. However, the primary question centres on whether Head will regain his traditional opening role in ODI cricket. This uncertainty arises because both David Warner and Mitch Marsh delivered exceptional centuries while opening in the recent match against Pakistan.
Mark Taylor discloses the individual likely to be sidelined for Travis Head
Taylor, in light of Head’s impending return, has floated the idea that Marnus Labuschagne may be the player who makes room for Head. Nevertheless, Taylor acknowledges the potential consequences of this decision, particularly concerning the balance of Australia’s batting lineup.
“I think (selector) George Bailey’s already shown his hand that they’re going to play him (Head) at the top of the order which in a way is an aggressive move but the one concern Australia will have is that Labuschagne I think will make way. More than likely he’ll make way, but we’re leaving out someone like Labuschagne who’s an out and out batter which if you look at the games we won leading into this tournament, Labuschagne played well,” Taylor was quoted as saying by the Wide World of Sports.
Also READ: Pakistan’s Imam-ul-Haq sheds light on the lack of sixes by their batters in ODI World Cup 2023
Evaluating Marnus Labuschagne’s performance and Head’s remarkable record
Despite Labuschagne’s relatively modest tally of 121 runs across four innings, Taylor has observed that Labuschagne has displayed promising form. He underscores the importance of having a reliable batter capable of anchoring the innings.
“Sometimes you need that in one-day cricket, if there’s a bit of spin or seam, you need someone who can bat long, who can bat time. Look at (New Zealand’s) Daryl Mitchell (against India), if they’d had a decent hitter at the end they’d have made 300 and it would’ve been a very interesting game of cricket, you need someone who can bat through,” the 58-year-old concluded.
Head has demonstrated impressive ODI performances this year, accumulating 241 runs with an outstanding average of 48.20 and a remarkable strike rate exceeding 141. These dynamics underscore the complexity of the decisions facing Australia’s management and selectors as they navigate the crucial stages of the World Cup.
