New Zealand and Australia are in a fix currently with two of their star players getting gruesome injuries on the same day
New Zealand and Australia are in a fix currently with two of their star players getting gruesome injuries on the same day. These injuries could force these two star players, Travis Head of Australia and Tim Southee of New Zealand, to sit out of the ODI World Cup 2023.
After being struck by a short delivery from Gerald Coetzee in the fourth One-Day International against South Africa at SuperSport Park on Friday, Australia’s opener Travis Head has a confirmed fracture in his left hand, putting his availability for the early stages of the ODI World Cup 2023 in doubt.
Elsewhere, ODI World Cup 2023 participation of Tim Southee is in question as he returns to New Zealand after scans revealed he dislocated and broke a bone in his right thumb when dropping a catch in the fourth One-Day International against England.
Tim Southee, Travis Head join ODI World Cup injury list
Ben Lister’s final delivery in the 14th over at Lord’s caused Tim Southee to injure himself while attempting to take a catch of Joe Root, who was on eight at the time. Before a member of the travelling medical staff removed him from the pitch, he instantly indicated his distress.
He did not participate further in New Zealand’s 100-run defeat after leaving the pitch for a scan; Trent Boult took his place as a replacement fielder, and he opted not to bat in the later portions of the innings.
New Zealand will be hoping that the further evaluation would allow Tim Southee to preserve his spot in the 15-man squad for what will be his fourth ODI World Cup, which will start just 20 days from now against England in Ahmedabad.
While, Travis Head was smacked on the left glove while attempting to pull off Coetzee, he was on nine and facing his ninth delivery. Before continuing to bat, he received treatment from the Australian medical personnel on the pitch.
He only faced three more deliveries before retiring hurt and was obviously in pain. After the game, Australia coach Andrew McDonald said that an x-ray taken when he was hospitalised revealed a fracture.
In order to evaluate the extent of his damage and the timeframe for his recuperation, he will undergo further scans on Saturday. At the conclusion of the game, Travis Head did return to the ground, but his left hand was still in a splint.
