Head fractures left hand; in race against time for World Cup

 

Head was hit of his hand while attempting a pull off Gerald Coetzee's short ball © AFP

Travis Head fractured his left-hand during the fourth ODI against South Africa at the SuperSport Park in Centurion on Friday and, as a result, his availability for the World Cup has been left in doubt.

Head was hit of his hand while attempting a pull off Gerald Coetzee's s

hort ball. He will undergo further scans to understand the extent of the injury, Australian head coach Andrew McDonald confirmed.

Head received treatment for his injury on the ground and even played three more deliveries before retiring hurt. He returned to the field later in the day but had his left hand in a splint.

"At this stage, it's a confirmed fracture and how long that timeframe is, we're yet to determine that so fingers crossed clearly with the World Cup fast approaching," McDonald after the match.

"I'm not a medical person, but I think it's a little bit higher up than the actual [index] finger itself. But I don't know the actual terminology. It's in a joint somewhere so I won't go into the medical specifics. But, yeah, a confirmed fracture and to be assessed again tomorrow with another scan."

Head's injury adds to Australia's already long list of concerns ahead of the world cup - with Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Starc already recovering from their respective injuries. All-rounder Cameron Green was already replaced in the first ODI due to a concussion. Ashton Agar, who recovered from a calf strain and had to fly back home for the birth of his new born, is also suffering from soreness.

Meanwhile, Spencer Johnson is still unavailable due to a hamstring injury and Mitchell Marsh won't bowl in the final ODI on Sunday due to an ankle soreness. While all of them are expected to be available for the India series, the extent of Head's injury and his availability for the world cup are yet to be ascertained.

McDonald also confirmed that Green should be available for the fifth ODI. "He's been cleared by the medical team," McDonald said. "So he's just working away getting prepared. Hopefully, he's available for game five. That's the plan at this stage. We'll be able to have some training tomorrow, assess that and there will be some forced changes and we'll have some guys potentially a little bit sore. We'll have to manage those guys as well."

The ongoing five-match series against South AFrica is levelled at 2-2 after the hosts registered a comprehensive 164-run win in the fourth ODI.

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