Australia to open their Cricket World Cup campaign against India in Chennai.
Five-time World Champions Australia will open their ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign against India in Chennai on October 8. Australia recently lost a three-match ODI series to India before the ICC event.
Before Australia begins their campaign, head coach Andrew McDonald revealed that all-rounder Marcus Stoinis is doubtful for the India encounter in Chennai as he deals with a hamstring injury. Stoinis,34, had suffered the injury in the first ODI against India in Mohali.
He was rested for the next two ODIs and also missed both the warm-up games that Australia played.
"That happened after the Mohali game. He pulled up a little bit sore from that game and then further investigation obviously led to that being a slight hamstring and then he's just rehabilitating. It'll be touch and go for game one. He hasn't certainly been ruled out of that but we weren't prepared to risk him in those practice games.
So, he's probably slow playing a little bit with the view to these next couple of days being really important for him to press for selection for game one. We'll see how it unfolds,” McDonald told reporters.
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McDonald said their lone specialist spinner Adam Zampa's workload was also being managed ahead of the tournament.
"He did pull up sore from the second game in the ODI series but nothing significant," McDonald said.
The head coach also touched on the subject of Travis Head’s recovery from a fractured hand. McDonald said he expected an official update next Wednesday or Thursday.
"That will give us a lot more information as to the final time frames and when he potentially can join the group but until we get that then he'll remain at home training and prepping his body as much as he can," he added.
(Reuters inputs)