SL vs AUS: Travis Head Ruled Out Of Final ODI; Doubtful For First Test

Australian all-rounder Travis Head has been ruled out of the fifth and final ODI match against Sri Lanka after suffering an injury and remains doubtful for the first Test as well. The left-handed batter sustained a low-grade right hamstring injury while fielding during the fourth ODI on June 21 in Colombo.

Head was called from Australia A squad in Australia’s ODI squad as a replacement for Marcus Stoinis, who suffered a side strain in the first ODI. Head scored 120 runs in three innings including the unbeaten 70 in the third ODI in Colombo.

SL vs AUS: Travis Head in doubts for the first Test

“It’s a bit more of a precaution, especially with where he fields. He fields in the outfield and the ground is quite heavy and he does a lot of Ks. I’m not sure what he’ll be like for the Tests but he’s definitely not available for tomorrow, “Australia’s white-ball skipper Aaron Finch said of Head’s omission for the final ODI match in Colombo, as reported b cricket.com.au.

Head adds to the long list of injured players in Australia’s limited-overs leg in the ongoing Sri Lanka tour. All-rounder Mitchell Marsh and Mitchell Starc were unavailable for at least the first three ODIs of the five-match series, although Marsh returned to play the last two ODIs, the left-arm pacer wasn’t available.

Pace bowler Kane Richardson was ruled out of the ODI series after suffering a hamstring injury. Ashton Agar was also ruled out of the ODI series along with Stoinis after the first ODI. Australian star batter Steve Smith sustained a quad injury after playing the first couple of ODI matches and subsequently missed the remaining two ODIs in Colombo.

Who will replace Travis Head for Sri Lanka Tests?

Head’s injury could open the door for one of the members of the Australia A squad, currently in Hambantota playing a final four-dayer against Sri Lanka A, to stay on as cover for the Tests, with Marcus Harris, Matthew Renshaw and Nic Maddinson the leading contenders.

Australia has already lost the ODI series 1-3 and will play the fifth ODI against Sri Lanka on June 24 (Friday) in Colombo before the two teams kick off the two-match Test series on June 29 in Galle.

Also Read: SL vs AUS: Steve Smith To Focus On Playing More Shots Against Spin Bowlers In Test Series