Both Australia and New Zealand are facing a challenging situation as two of their star players, Travis Head and Tim Southee, sustained severe injuries on the same day, casting doubt on their participation in the ODI World Cup 2023.
Travis Head, Australia’s opener, suffered a confirmed fracture in his left hand after being hit by a short delivery from Gerald Coetzee during the fourth One-Day International against South Africa. This unfortunate injury has raised concerns about his availability for the early stages of the ODI World Cup.
Meanwhile, Tim Southee’s participation in the ODI World Cup 2023 is uncertain as he had to return to New Zealand due to a dislocated and broken bone in his right thumb. This injury occurred when he attempted to take a catch of Joe Root during the fourth One-Day International against England at Lord’s. Southee signaled his distress immediately and didn’t participate further in the match. Trent Boult replaced him as a fielder, and he chose not to bat in the later stages of the innings.
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New Zealand is hopeful that further evaluation will determine whether Tim Southee can retain his spot in the 15-man squad for his fourth ODI World Cup. The tournament is set to commence in just 20 days, starting with a match against England in Ahmedabad.
Travis Head, on the other hand, was struck on his left glove while attempting a pull shot off Coetzee. After receiving on-field treatment, he continued to bat briefly but eventually retired hurt. An x-ray conducted when he was hospitalized revealed the fracture in his hand. Further scans are scheduled to assess the extent of the damage and determine his recovery timeframe. Despite briefly returning to the ground after the game, Travis Head’s left hand remained in a splint.