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Xavier Bartlett (Source: Twitter)
Australia have opted to rest Xavier Bartlett for the second ODI against West Indies in order to regulate his workload. The 25-year-old showcased impressive performances in the recently concluded Big Bash League (BBL), leading to his debut selection for the national team. However, the management has broader objectives for him, considering him as one of the talents to monitor closely leading up to the T20 World Cup.
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It's worth mentioning that Barlett claimed four wickets in the series opener against West Indies, earning him the Player of the Match award. The pacer is anticipated to rejoin the lineup for the third ODI in Canberra, with Josh Hazlewood poised to take his place in the second match at the renowned Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Following the first ODI, Bartlett shared insights into an injury he sustained prior to the new season, which contributes to the team management's emphasis on managing his workload.
“I was injured at the start of this year and didn't have a chance to play any domestic cricket, which was a frustrating time. But you can kind of see the light at the end of the tunnel and you've just got to keep trying to work hard because these days don't happen very often in the game of cricket,” Bartlett was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
Travis Head released from ODI and T20I squad
Conversely, the star batter Travis Head has been excluded from Australia's ODI and T20I squads. The decision appears to stem from workload considerations, as the left-hander is set to participate in the upcoming Test series against New Zealand prior to the IPL. Meanwhile, left-arm pacer Spencer Johnson, instrumental in Brisbane Heat's triumph in the recent BBL, will be added to the national squad as a standby player for the third ODI.
Cricket Australia has not yet announced a replacement for Head for the remaining matches of the series. Nevertheless, it is anticipated that in his absence, young talent Jake Fraser-McGurk will make his debut at the SCG. With the heroics at Gabba, the West Indies team will be eager to make a strong comeback after conceding in the first ODI against Australia.