JOHANNESBURG (AP) — In further bad news for Australia, opening batsman Travis Head will miss at the least the first half of World Cup – and possibly the whole tournament – due to the right hand fracture suffered in game four.
“The good news is he doesn’t require surgery, as it stands at the moment,” McDonald said.
“There will be an extended period of time out and we’ve got to weigh up whether that time falls potentially with an option to carry him through the front half of the World Cup. There’s no doubt he won’t be available for the front half.”
Australia had threatened to sweep the ODI series — just as it had done for the three-match T20 contest — after wins in the opener and second ODI. But South Africa began its revival with a 111-run win in the third ODI.
South Africa will open its World Cup campaign against Sri Lanka on Oct. 7. Australia faces host India the following day.