The return of Travis Head will make changes in the batting lineup and Marsh will be playing in the No.3 position, who opened for the side in the absence of Head.
Cummins update on Stoinis and Head’s return
Australia has played five matches in the World Cup 2023 so far and has three victories in it. The five-time champions stand fourth in the points table. With players Travis Head and Stoinis being sidelined from the squad due to injury, they are set to make a comeback for the team.
Travis Head was put through his paces in a one-on-one catching drill with coach Andrew McDonald as the opener sought to prove his fitness ahead of the match against New Zealand.
Marcus Stoinis bowled in the nets, but Cummins did not confirm their availability for the clash with the Black Caps. Head missed the early part of the tournament due to his broken left hand.
After seeing him in practice sessions, there remains hope for his return to the side for the match against New Zealand. He batted for 20 minutes in the nets on Friday and then he was tested by McDonald.
Stoinis missed the match against the Netherlands with a minor calf injury, where Green took his spot in the playing 11. He was determined to play, but Cummins was not confirmed about the players’ return before training session.
“I don’t know to be honest,” Cummins said. With Head in for the match, he will open with David Warner and Marsh will be playing in the No.3 Position, Steve Smith to No.4.
Smith seemed to be “a bit shocked” when told of his impending move, but Cummins said Smith was ultimately a team player and will do what’s best for the team.
“He said himself he’ll do whatever’s best for the team,” Cummins said.
“Trav’s been amazing for the last 12 months, Mitch Marsh at the top has been amazing, David Warner is obviously a superstar up there. We think that’s the best way to set up the team and we’re really happy with how the batting line-up looks like that. It’s been fine. We all do some roles that maybe isn’t your preference but it’s what’s best for the team.”
“It feels a bit more like a Test match, getting up in the morning and turning up here. A bit different to what we’ve been used to. We’ll have a think this afternoon to see if that changes anything to do with the toss. At night, dew and whether it will swing under lights is a factor you think about (but won’t for a day match),” Cummins said.
“It’s a new venue, you’ve got to assess when you’re out there what you think is going to be a good score. It might not be a 400-run innings. We talk a lot about playing what’s in front of you, you assess the conditions.
As a batter you build your innings around that, as a bowler we assess what’s going to work whether it’s cutters (or something else). We’ll make sure we’re looking at it closely,” he concluded.
The match between Australia and New Zealand will kickstart at 10:30 AM IST on October 28 at HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala.
