Australia is scheduled to play two warm-up games against Namibia on Wednesday and the West Indies on Friday in Trinidad.
Australia is suffering a player shortage and may be forced to employ support workers as substitute fielders in the warm-up games for next month’s T20 World Cup due to the short turnaround time between the IPL and the global event. Australia is scheduled to play two warm-up games in Trinidad against Namibia on Wednesday and the West Indies on Friday, but they may have as few as eight players available due to the majority of them taking a rest after their stint in the IPL playoffs.
“We’ll be undermanned. However, it is a practice game. The guys who need to play will play as much as they can, and we’ll figure it out from there,” captain Mitchell Marsh told cricket.com.au. Marsh, who is recovering from a hamstring injury, may not play against Namibia.
The IPL finals between the Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad completed on Sunday night, and three players — Travis Head, Pat Cummins, and player of the match Mitchell Starc — were on both sides.
Aside from the trio, Cameron Green and Glenn Maxwell, who played for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, will join the World Cup squad in Barbados at the end of the week, while Marcus Stoinis, who played for Lucknow Super Giants, is expected to arrive in Trinidad after the Namibia practice match.
Travelling reserves Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matt Short are also likely to join following Australia’s first encounter of the tournament, against Oman on June 5.
“Adaptability is essential. Guys that have been to the IPL have played a lot of cricket. “We prioritized giving them a couple of days at home to see their families, recharge, and play the long game for this tournament,” Marsh explained.
“We will get our 15 (all together) eventually, but really important that we give them a break, even if it’s just a couple of days at home, that’s really important.” Players participating in the warm-up games are required by ICC regulations to be citizens of the nation they are representing.
This implies that support personnel such as former international cricket players Andrew McDonald, Brad Hodge, George Bailey, and former first-grade wicketkeeper Andre Borovec may need to run around on the field.
Marsh only appeared in four IPL games for the Delhi Capitals before taking a plane to Perth in April to see a doctor at CA for a hamstring strain. He hasn’t played or picked up a bowling game since.
I will hopefully start bowling soon, although I’m probably still a while off. We’ll pick it up once you finish these practice matches as a batter, according to Marsh.
“With Stoin, Greeny, and his immense talent, we’re fortunate to have an abundance of options with the ball.” When it comes to bowling, I’ll play. This was supposed to be a three-week injury, right? Seven (weeks) have passed since then. Feel plays a small role when it comes to tendons.
“We took our time, especially after I was declared ineligible for the IPL.” I’ll be prepared for the World Cup because I’m precisely where I need to be with all the preparations.”
