IND vs AUS 2017: Injury concerns for Australia ahead of the first ODI

Finch
Finch left the training early in Chennai on Thursday. Image Source: Cricket.com.au

Internet Desk: Injury woes for the Australian cricket team as they might miss the service of their star opener Aaron Finch against India as he sustained an injury on his right calf during Australia’s warm-up at Chepauk Stadium on Thursday. He pulled out of the rest of the session to ice the muscle. If the Victorian player fails to make it, the Aussie team management might send Travis Head or Hilton Cartwright to open with David Warner.

Finch had not featured Australia’s warm-up match on Tuesday due to the injury, which he got during his play for Surrey in England six weeks back.

Having trained earlier this week, the 30-year-old was expected to play in the series opener, but his absence from training on Thursday puts him in doubt for Sunday’s match.

Uncapped allrounder Hilton Cartwright opened in Finch’s absence in the warm-up game, but was dismissed for a second-ball duck in Australia’s 103-run win.

Cartwright opened in one-day cricket for Western Australia last summer, but the Aussies may choose to elevate Travis Head – who scored a century as an opener on Australia Day this year – to the top of the order.

However, stand-in coach David Saker confirmed this week that Head has been earmarked to fill the vacant No.4 role and with Finch’s injury not series-ending, Cartwright may be used as a stop-gap opener until the Victorian is fit again.

Australia have tried six players at No.4 in 10 matches since George Bailey was dropped in January and Saker hopes impressive youngster Head can be a long-term solution.

“Hopefully he’s the one that can do it,” Saker said of the left-hander on Wednesday, before Finch aggravated his calf.

“He just seems to keep getting better every time he plays for Australia, so that’s a real positive.

“His training ethic is as good as you’d get so it’s a good reward for him.”

Head, one of four Australians to score a half-century in the tour game, averages more than 40 in ODIs since making his debut in June last year.

“I’m excited by the opportunity to go up the order again,” the South Australian said of the shift to No.4. “I’ve had a chance at most spots since I’ve come into the side.

“I feel confident and it was nice to get some time in the middle the other day to get a feel for the wicket and the conditions.”

Should the Aussies decide to move Head up to opener, one of Glenn Maxwell or Marcus Stoinis would be in line to fill to No.4 spot.