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ToggleAustralia, on Wednesday, suffered a big injury scare with their opening batsman Usman Khawaja receiving a nasty blow on his head. Khawaja suffered the injury while batting in the first of the three practise matches against West Indies in Southampton. Bowling first, Australia did well to restrict the West Indies to just 229.
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West Indies started well with Shai Hope hitting Jason Behrendorff for two back-to-back sixes. Hope and Evin Lewis shared 39 runs for the first wicket before the former fell. From thereon, West Indies kept losing wickets at regular intervals and were all out for just 229 in the 47th over. Carlos Brathwaite top-scored for the side, scoring 60 while opener Lewis scored 50. For Australia, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Glenn Maxwell picked up two wickets each. The fine effort with the ball must have delighted the Australian team-management.
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However, the delight soon turned into despair when Usman Khawaja coped a blow on his head. After starting the proceedings with a four, Khawaja ended up being hit by a Andre Russell bouncer. The doctor soon arrived on the field to check Khawaja before the two walked off the field. Australia will be hoping the injury is not serious.
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Missing Khawaja for the World Cup will be a huge blow for the team from Down Under. Khawaja is in stunning form with the bat. In the ongoing year, he has scored a staggering 769 ODI runs at 59.15 in 2019. During the series in India, he scored 383 runs, including two centuries, in Australia’s 3-2 series. He also impressed with the bat during the 5-0 whitewash over Pakistan in UAE. Khawaja is likely to open the innings for Australia in the World Cup if he remains fit. Australia will open their World Cup campaign against Afghanistan on June 1.