AUS vs WI 2024: Xavier Bartlett rested for second ODI, Travis Head released

Australia have decided to bench Xavier Bartlett for the second ODI against West Indies to manage his workload. The 25-year-old was terrific in the recently concluded Big Bash League (BBL), which helped him earn his maiden call-up to the national team but the management has bigger plans as he is one of the talents they are keeping a tab on ahead of the T20 World Cup. Notably, he picked four wickets in the series opener against West Indies to be named the Player of the Match.

The pacer is expected to make his return in the third ODI in Canberra while Josh Hazlewood is likely to replace him in the second match at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Meanwhile, after the first ODI, Bartlett opened up about the injury that he suffered ahead of the new season and that is one of the factors behind the team management focusing on 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.

On the other hand, star batter Travis Head has been released from the ODI and T20I squad of Australia. Workload management seems to be the reason as the southpaw will next feature in the Test series against New Zealand ahead of the IPL. Meanwhile, left-arm pacer Spencer Johnson, who played a massive part in helping Brisbane Heat win their second BBL title, will join the national squad for the third ODI but only as a cover.

Interestingly, Cricket Australia is yet to name Head’s replacement for the remainder of the series. However, in his absence, youngster Jake Fraser-McGurk is expected to make his debut at SCG.