On Friday, Australia took on South Africa in the fourth ODI of their bilateral series in Centurion. The home side secured a 164-run win, scoring 416/5 in the first innings before bowling Australia out for 252 to level the series at 2-2.
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It was a tough day in the field for the visitors, who bore the full brunt of a brutal 174 from Heinrich Klaasen, supported ably by David Miller's quickfire 82. The only Australian batter who got going in the second innings was Alex Carey, who was dismissed for 99.
Adding to an all-round miserable day, Australian opener Travis Head was forced off the field, retired hurt after being hit on the hand by pacer Gerald Coetzee.
Travis Head injury latest: Will the Australian be fit for the World Cup?
Head was hit during the seventh over of Australia's chase, and faced three more balls after receiving treatment from the team physio and finally retiring hurt.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Australian coach Andrew McDonald said that scans had revealed a fracture to the batter's left hand. Further scans are required to determine the extent of the injury, but it is possible (though unlikely at this point) that Head could be ruled out of the entire World Cup, which begins on 8 October for Australia.
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For now, it looks as though Head may miss the early part of the tournament but in case he is out for Australia's entire campaign, Marnus Labuschagne could replace him in the squad.
Labuschagne was not named in Australia's provisional 15-man squad announced earlier this month, but teams are allowed to make changes until 28 September.
