David Warner’s blistering opening partnership with Mitch Marsh that put Australia’s World Cup bid back on track is set to be ditched with the return of Travis Head.
Head, back with the team after fracturing his left hand in a warm-up series against South Africa, will move straight back to the top of the order on his return, possibly as soon as Australia’s next match against Netherlands in Delhi on Wednesday.
“Clearly, (he) comes in at the top,” chair of selectors George Bailey told reporters on Saturday, talking of Head’s return.
“He’s been fantastic there for us and that’s where he’ll slot in. And then we’ll just work out when it is, who we’re playing, the surface and what you might need.”
If he’s straight back in for the match against the Dutch, that would break up the little-and-large double act of Warner and Marsh, which flowered magnificently in the key win over Pakistan in Bengaluru on Friday with both men hitting tons in a 259-run partnership.
Head’s return will mean the in-form allrounder Marsh moving down the order but it’s possible the Warner-Marsh combination could fire at the top again if it’s decided to keep the returning left-hander under wraps until the trans-Tasman clash with New Zealand on October 28.
“It can be a six to eight-week injury. He’s ticked all the boxes in terms of the four-week scan and the bone has healed, so that’s all going well, and he’s progressed really well through the week,” said Bailey.
“But clearly the whole point of having him and carrying him to this point is not to then risk it by bringing him back early. So if it works out that it’s the Dutch game, great. If it’s a little bit further on, then that’s okay (too).”
Mitch Marsh. (Photo by Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
Head is seen as a key contributor for the second-half of the World Cup group-stage challenge, as he’s averaging over 60 at a strike rate of over 119 ever since returning to the ODI squad last year and can offer a spin option too.
His return will certainly necessitate a reshuffle anyway, with Marnus Labuschagne perhaps the most likely batter to make way with allrounder Marcus Stoinis strengthening his claims with his 21 and two wickets against Pakistan.
“Stoin bought a really great energy with his bowling and couple of really key breakthroughs to get everyone up and going, and a nice catch as well,” noted Bailey.
Marsh would presumably step in at three, having scored 351 runs at a strike rate of 108.3 in seven innings since he took over as opener.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Bitd,bitd, we were all better bitd.
jammel
Roar Rookie
Head and Green in. Marnus and Stoin out imo.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Wouldn't mind White.
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
Yep he will do if that is who you recommend Needs to be a panel that works well together For me, coach not on panel. If going to have one panel for all 3 formats, need someone with some exposure to the white ball esp T20. Therefore Someone slightly more modern but with no obvious grudges And a bit of bowling intel Wood, Gillespie if we could get him, and Kasprowicz if not. Maybe Cameron White, he is a well respected coach and noted hard head
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
Yes he wasn’t landing them so Pat sent him home because his name started with A
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
You know I am picking them both if they ask me I was just responding to the literal statement 13th made. Not supporting the selection (although I do, compared to other options, but with Green a priority for selection over Stoinis)
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
But better than Marnus I’m just saying your exaggeration was more accurate before the last two games Her certainly finished well the game before Personally I would have him ahead of with Smith or Labuschagne from this squad, because he can bowl - a bit; and Tonk - a bit. And he isn’t Smith or Labuschagne
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
True, he's not as feline in the field. Bitd, his movements were a little like Clive Lloyd.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Our toughest kick-ar3e player was Graeme Wood. Not popular as captain during a WA 3peat but drove his players. Champion at business and cricket admin too.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Just get Lawrie Sawle's family to provide the Head of Selection...a bit like the Royal succession line.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
21 of 24 when we had a 250 run plus opening platform. He had to bat at over 200% at that stage. He also went at over 8 an over (only Cummins was worse). If Green goes at any more than 6 an over, he doesn't get a bowl.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Has anyone noticed Smith’s fielding has diminished…speed-wise (and catching)? I can’t see how his knees are going to survive a renewed 2 year contract.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
...and just hope Warner gets out first because we don't want a left/left combination for the second wicket partnership.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Not Stoinis. Green.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Smith and Labuschagne miss out. Head and Green in. Cummins should miss too but selection has only offered Abbott as a replacement. I wonder if Alex Carey has been bowling in the nets.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
That 21 off 24 was one of the worst innings I've seen. To go at less than a run a ball from a so called 'finisher' was pretty dreadful. He contributes very little.
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
probably because he just bought a few scraps at least. 20* off 10 and then 21 off 24 when Maxwell, Smith, Inglis and Labuschagne all made less. (see what I do here, he's averaging 41 and going at 121 since Australia started to turn the corner...!!!!!!!)
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
My favourite selector was John Benaud. Because he didn’t talk much in the job, but poured his heart out in his great book to explain how and why he made selections, admitting the subjectivity but also the attempt to craft some consistency tempered with risk and renewal I think it also helped that he was (a) a hardheaded well respected former state captain (b) “not even the best cricketer in the family (c) had endured the ups and downs of national selection as a player, missing out to Watson in 72 but winning his spot for 72-3, dropped and scoring a ton in reply, touring. (D) he didn’t cling on, they didn’t/couldn’t back then. He was also a senior guy untouched but presumably not unmoved by the Lawry sacking, but also the spark of rebirth under Chappelli. He was around the game as a journo but out of the game for a while. He was always a moderniser, like his brother. That’s my criteria. Bailey and Dodemaide fit none of that. Dodders presumably the safe hand to balance Bailey and Ronnie’s intimacy. Someone from WA who did well enough but wasn’t a superstar. If he wasn’t occupied… Tom Moody?
zeus_kris
Roar Rookie
One of Marnus or Smith will be the most possible player to drop as Head provides the additional batting. Stoinis proved useful with bat and ball. He is needed if one of the quicks aren't good enough to finish their overs.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
What is the most stupid idea the selectors could come up with? What about them dropping Marsh? Keeps all the good boys there, gets Head a spot, Marsh won't complain, he'll slot in again, later...