Head still sidelined as Australia bat against Netherlands

25 October 2023 02:04 pm Views - 135

Australia skipper Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat first against the Netherlands in a World Cup clash on Wednesday with opener Travis Head failing to make the starting line-up.

Head, who broke his hand in South Africa on the eve of the World Cup, misses out despite joining up with the Australian squad this week.

Cummins said: "The bridge is still too far for Head. He still needs a few more days."

Five-time winners Australia have made one change in New Delhi from their previous win over Pakistan with Cameron Green coming in for Marcus Stoinis, who is out with a calf injury.

Australia started with two losses but bounced back to win their next two and are fourth in the 10-team table led by hosts India.

The Netherlands will be looking for another upset after they stunned South Africa last week.

Afghanistan downed defending champions England in the last match at this venue, which also witnessed a highest ever World Cup total of 428 by South Africa earlier this month.

The Dutch come in unchanged from their previous loss to Sri Lanka.

Skipper Scott Edwards said he would have opted to bowl had he won the toss.

"We have played good cricket but not for long enough. We would want to rectify that. The boys would want to do well," said Edwards. (AFP)

Teams

Australia: David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa

Netherlands: Vikramjit Singh, Max O'Dowd, Colin Ackermann, Bas de Leede, Teja Nidamanuru, Scott Edwards (wk/capt), Sybrand Engelbrecht, Logan van Beek, Roelof van der Merwe, Aryan Dutt, Paul van Meekeren

Umpires: Michael Gough (ENG) and Sharfuddoula (BAN)

TV Umpire: Marais Erasmus (RSA)

Match Referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)