ICC World Cup 2023: Australia coach optimistic for Travis Head to begin in opposition to Netherlands

Australia batsman Travis Head has a great probability to be recalled for the World Cup conflict in opposition to the Netherlands as he recovers from a damaged hand, coach Andrew McDonald mentioned on Monday.

Head, who fractured his left hand throughout Australia’s South Africa tour final month, missed his crew’s first 4 matches on the World Cup in India.

McDonald mentioned selectors would make a name on the left-hander’s availability after seeing how he recovers after coaching afterward Monday.

“We’re really optimistic that he’ll be available should all things go well today and as I said, most importantly, the way he pulls up tomorrow will be a key factor,” McDonald advised reporters. “It’s been really impressive the way he’s gone about his recovery.”

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Marnus Labuschagne is anticipated to make method ought to Head return for the match on Wednesday at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium, nonetheless, McDonald mentioned that was not clear-cut.

“We’ll just wait and see what it looks like in terms of the Netherlands if Head is fit,” he added.

Australia are fourth within the group stage standings, having steadied their marketing campaign with successive wins over Sri Lanka and Pakistan following heavy defeats in opposition to hosts India and South Africa within the opening two matches.

The high 4 make the semi-finals.

The 42-year-old coach mentioned Australia had been focusing on extra powerplay wickets, having been thwarted by robust opening batting partnerships of their final three matches.

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However, the crew are prone to stick with seamers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood opening the bowling, fairly than beginning with fast-bowling captain Pat Cummins.

“Ideally we don’t want to be relying on middle over wickets,” mentioned McDonald.

“That combination of Starc and Hazlewood have really dove-tailed well in the powerplay. One’s economy rate is ridiculously good and the other one’s got the wicket-taking ability. We feel like that’s a really good combination,” he concluded.