Travis Head Takes Break: Out of Australia Squad for West Indies White-Ball Games

After ending the Test series against Pakistan, Australia is facing West Indies in a long series. The Test series ended in a draw and both teams are locking horns in the ODI series. Australia is leading the ODI series by a 1-0 margin after winning the first ODI. Aussie batter Travis Head has been released from the Aussie squad for the next ODI matches and the entire T20 series against West Indies for workload management. 

Rest to Travis Head:

Before heading to the next match of the ODI series, Australian management made some changes in the squad. Australia opener Travis Head will miss the remaining ODI and T20I matches against West Indies to recharge after a demanding Test season. Cricket.com.au reports that Josh Hazlewood will join the squad for the second ODI at Sydney Cricket Ground.

Head’s absence extends to the next two ODIs and all three T20Is against the Windies as he returns home to Adelaide for rest. This break precedes Australia’s upcoming Test and T20I series against New Zealand later this month. The decision aims to ensure the Head’s physical and mental well-being while maintaining team strength for future fixtures.

Some Other Changes:

Travis Head’s rest was not the only change in the squad, there were some others. Despite a stellar debut with figures of 4/17 in the first ODI, Pacer Xavier Bartlett will be rested for the second match to avoid strain from three ODIs in five days. While Bartlett played a key role in Brisbane Heat’s BBL triumph, selectors prioritize his well-being over risk. He’s expected to return for the third ODI in Canberra. 

Another Aussie player Spencer Johnson joins the squad. Additionally, Josh Hazlewood’s inclusion for the second ODI at Sydney holds significance, marking a homecoming for the seasoned bowler. The decisions aim to balance player workload and team performance for upcoming fixtures.

In the past 13 months, Spencer Johnson has experienced significant success, starting with his BBL debut in January last year. He made a noteworthy impact, securing six wickets on his Sheffield Shield debut and earning caps for both T20I and ODI debuts. Johnson further showcased his skills in England’s The Hundred competition. 

Australia’s updated squad for the second ODI contains  Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood (second ODI only), Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Lance Morris, Matt Short, Will Sutherland, Adam Zampa.

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