Travis Head ruled out for first half of World Cup, Marnus Labuschagne back in fray | Cricket News

Travis Head is ruled out of the first half of the next month’s World Cup, the Australian coach Andrew McDonald has confirmed after their 2-3 series defeat against South Africa.
Head fractured his left hand after he was struck on the on the left glove a short delivery from Proteas seamer Gerald Coetzee in the seventh over in the fourth ODI.
“The timeframe is still a bit loose at the moment but the good news is he doesn’t require surgery as it sits at the moment,” McDonald was quoted Cricket.com.au.
“There will be an extended period of time out and we’ve just got to weigh up whether that time (out) falls with an option to carry him through the front half of the World Cup.
“There’s no doubt he won’t be available for the front half, so that’s a decision we’ll have to make for the final 15(-player squad). But I can’t give you an exact time frame.”
Marnus back in frame
Head’s injury might open the door for middle-order batter Marnus Labuschagne in the squad. Labuschagne, who has lost his place in the ODIs has surged back into the form and finished as Australia’s leading run-scorer with 283 at an average of 70.75.
Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne and Ashton Agar celebrate after the match. (Reuters)
“I can’t talk on behalf of the selection panel and lock him away in the World Cup 15 but it’s no doubt looking likely,” McDonald said of Labuschagne’s World Cup hopes.
“He’s made a significant shift in his intent at the crease and putting the bowlers under pressure (more) than he was potentially 12 months ago. He’s struck at around 100 strike-rate in this series.
“We know Marnus is a quality player and he probably didn’t have the 12-18 months in one-day cricket that he would have liked.
“But he’s no doubt taken that opportunity with both hands and there’s no doubt he’ll be front and centre when it comes to that 15-man squad down the track.”
Fresh injuries
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Ellis suffered an adductor strain and was unable to finish his spell after sending down eight overs.
Abbott split the webbing on a finger while fielding and required stitches, but was able to complete his spell and McDonald suggested he should be right to face India in the upcoming series.
Teams can make changes to their World Cup squads right up until the September 28 deadline.