(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] Australia have made strategic adjustments to their lineup ahead of the second ODI match against the West Indies, slated to take place on February 4 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Notably, pacer Xavier Bartlett, who impressed in his debut match for Australia and was awarded the Man of the Match in the first ODI, will be rested by the management for the upcoming game to manage his workload effectively.
Bartlett showcased his prowess during the recently concluded Big Bash League (BBL) while representing the Brisbane Heat, where he emerged as the leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 20 scalps in 11 matches. In the inaugural ODI at Melbourne, the 25-year-old pacer exhibited exceptional skill, claiming four wickets in nine overs while conceding only 17 runs, thereby playing a pivotal role in restricting the visitors to a total of 231 runs. However, fans can anticipate Bartlett’s return to action during the third and final ODI at Canberra.
In addition to Bartlett, star Australia batsman and opener Travis Head, who struggled to make an impact in the first match by scoring only four runs and faced challenges during the drawn Test series against the same opponent, has been omitted from both the ODI and T20I squads. Head’s next appearance will be in the upcoming Test series against New Zealand, commencing on February 21 in Wellington.
To bolster the team for the second ODI, Cricket Australia has included pacer Josh Hazlewood in place of Xavier Bartlett, while left-arm pacer Spencer Johnson will join the squad for the third ODI as a cover. Johnson showcased his talent during the BBL 2023-24 final against the Sydney Sixers, where he claimed four wickets within his four-over spell, contributing significantly to Brisbane Heat’s successful defense of a 167-run target.
Regarding Bartlett’s absence from the second ODI, it’s noteworthy that he has been managing an injury concern. Following his outstanding performance in the first ODI, Bartlett candidly discussed his injury setback, indicating that the management’s decision to grant him rest aligns with the priority of maintaining his fitness and ensuring his long-term availability for the team.
“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 said as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.