ICC World Cup, Australia handed a massive boost: Details here
Travis Head is all set to join the Australian squad in India at the ICC Cricket World Cup as the fracture to his left hand has recovered much faster than expected. Despite his injury concern, Australia kept him in the 15-member squad for the mega event. Head, removed his splint last week and has been working hard on the nets since then. Here's more.
Head may feature in Australia's match against Netherlands
According to Cricket Australia, the southpaw has faced some throw-downs in the practice sessions. Head may fly out to India on the coming Thursday. The dasher will still be not available for selection in their match against Pakistan, which will be Australia's fourth game of the ongoing World Cup. However, he may return to action against the Netherlands in Delhi on October 25.
It's coming along pretty well, better than we hoped: Head
"It's coming along well, and probably better than we hoped," Head stated "When we decided not to go with surgery, which would've meant a 10-week recovery, we were told it would be a minimum of six weeks with the splint before we can play again." We will see how it progresses, but I'm excited to join the boys over there later in the week."
Head averages 60.84 in ODI cricket since 2022
Since 2022, Head has been promoted as an opener in the Australian ODI setup. The southpaw has made full use of the advantage and has hammered 791 runs from 16 ODIs at an impressive average of 60.84. He has also maintained a strike rate of 119.84 in this period. The dasher has smashed two centuries and five fifties in ODIs since 2022.
Head fractured his hand against South Africa in Centurion
Head in his decade-long ODI career got injured for the first time as Gerald Coetzee's ball struck him on the left hand. He was immediately retired hurt and later scans revealed that he had suffered a fracture. This is his first experience with a major injury and he has revealed that the rehabilitation process is a new experience for him.
Head has scripted this record in ODIs
Head has maintained a strike rate of 119.84 in ODIs since playing as an opener in 2022. The only two batters who have played at least 15 ODI innings and recorded higher strike rates in this period are Heinrich Klaasen (133.4) and David Miller (122.5).
A look at his ODI numbers
The 29-year-old has amassed 2,064 runs in 58 ODIs at an average of 41.28. Head has maintained an ODI strike rate of 99.51. He has tallied 15 fifties and three centuries in ODIs. On Asian soil, he has hammered 648 runs in 19 ODIs at 38.11 (50s:3, 100: 1). Head has claimed 16 ODI wickets and his best figures (2/22) have come against SL.
Head averages 48.20 in ODIs this year
Among Australian batters this year in ODIs, Head is in fourth position despite missing so many games. The southpaw has amassed 241 runs from seven ODIs at an average of 48.20. He has scored at a stunning strike rate of 141.76. He has tallied two fifties in 2023. Only Marnus Labuschagne (537), David Warner (444), and Mitchell Marsh (424) are ahead of him.
