Australia optimistic about Travis Head

NEW DELHI: Australia batsman Travis Head is a good chance to be recalled for the World Cup clash against the Netherlands as he recovers from a broken hand, coach Andrew McDonald said on Monday.

Head, who fractured his left hand during Austra­lia’s South Africa tour last month, missed his team’s first four matches at the World Cup in India.

McDonald said selectors would make a call on the lefthander’s availability after seeing how he recovers after training later on Monday.

“We’re really optimistic that he’ll be available should all things go well today and as I said, most importantly, the way he pulls up tomorrow will be a key factor,” McDonald told reporters.

“It’s been really impressive the way he’s gone about his recovery.”

Marnus Labuschagne is expected to make way should Head return for the match on Wednesday at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium but McDonald said that was not clear-cut.

“We’ll just wait and see what it looks like in terms of the Netherlands, if Head is fit,” he added.

Australia are fourth in the standings.