ODI World Cup: Mitch Marsh set to slide as George Bailey confirms Travis Head’s return to opening slot

Mitch Marsh will be relegated down the Australian batting order, despite keeping their World Cup campaign alive with a blistering century just days ago. Marsh and partner David Warner hit twin tons in the win over Pakistan, but selectors have confirmed Travis Head will be automatically reinstated at the top of the order when he returns. Australia took a selection gamble when it retained Head in a 15-man squad even after he broke his hand and will take another in breaking up an opening duo that had worked into form. Head watched Australia’s first four games of the tournament from his home in Adelaide, but has finally rejoined the camp and could play as soon as Wednesday against the Netherlands. “Clearly, (he) comes in at the top,” chair of selectors George Bailey said. “He’s been fantastic there for us and that’s where he’ll slot in. And then we’ll just work out when it is, who we’re playing, the surface and what you might need.” Marsh and Warner’s partnership was worth 259 runs in Friday’s win against Pakistan. It yielded 24 against Sri Lanka, 27 in the heavy defeat to South Africa and five against India. The West Australian all-rounder could have one more chance to stake his claim as an opener, if Head’s hand is put on ice for one more game. Bringing him back for the trans-Tasman clash against New Zealand on Saturday is also an option. “It can be a six to eight-week injury. He’s ticked all the boxes in terms of the four-week scan and the bone has healed, so that’s all going well, and he’s progressed really well through the week,” said Bailey. “But clearly the whole point of having him and carrying him to this point is not to then risk it by bringing him back early. So if it works out that it’s the Dutch game, great. If it’s a little bit further on, then that’s okay (too).” Head is seen as a key contributor for the second-half of the group-stages, averaging over 60 at a strike rate of more than 119 since returning to the squad last year. He also offers a much-needed extra spin option. Marcus Stoinis’ strong bowling form looks set to keep him in the side, with Marnus Labuschagne firming as the most likely Australian to make way. “Stoin bought a really great energy with his bowling and couple of really key breakthroughs to get everyone up and going, and a nice catch as well,” noted Bailey. Marsh would presumably step in at three, having scored 351 runs at a strike rate of 108.3 in seven innings since he took over as opener.