Australia opener Travis Head ruled out for first half of World Cup 2023, confirms coach Andrew McDonald

The Kangaroo Coach Andrew McDonald stated that Travis Head will not be able to play in the first half of the ODI World Cup. Head, who broke his finger in the fourth ODI of the five-game series against South Africa, has been one of Australia's best hitters over the past year.

Reuters said that Head will go home on Monday for more medical tests, while the rest of the team will fly from South Africa to India for a three-match series that will take place between September 22 and 27. Australia will play India in Mohali, Indore, and Rajkot. This will be a warm-up for the 50-over World Cup, which starts on October 5.

McDonald told reporters at a press meeting on Sunday, after Australia lost its third straight ODI to South Africa and fell behind 3-2 in the series, "The timeframe is still a little bit open right now."

"However, the good news is that he doesn't need surgery right now. "The second scan showed that the break was in a joint," he said.

Mitchell Marsh started the batting for Australia in the last ODI because Head wasn't there. Australia can also start with Cameron Green, but it's unlikely that he can match Head's explosiveness.

"He will be out for a long time," McDonald said. "We'll just have to figure out if that time gives us a chance to keep him on the team for the first half of the World Cup."

"But it's clear that he won't be able to play in the first half. So that's a choice we'll have to make about the last 15. But I can't give you a specific date," the boss for Australia said.

Head had to leave the game because he was hurt. South Africa beat his country by 164 runs at Centurion on Friday after hitting Head in the hand.

The 29-year-old has been a leader for Australia at the top of the order in one-day games and would be badly missed at the World Cup if he is not allowed to play.

After being left off the preliminary team, Marnus Labuschagne has a good chance of being added if he doesn't make it. Marnus went to South Africa for the five-game series when Steve Smith got hurt. He scored the most runs (283 in five innings, for an average of 70.74), and was named man of the match twice.

"I can't speak for the group of judges, but I think he's changed in a big way. He's come in and made the most of the chance," McDonald said.