Australia is grappling with a player shortage for their T20 World Cup warm-up games, potentially requiring support staff to field as substitutes. The compressed schedule between the IPL and the World Cup has left the team with limited player availability.
Australia will play two warm-up games in Trinidad: against Namibia on Wednesday and the West Indies on Friday. However, they may only have eight players available due to the majority taking a break following their IPL play-off commitments.
“We’re going to be undermanned. But it is a practice game. The guys who need to play will play as much as they can, and we’ll figure it out from there,” said captain Mitchell Marsh, who is uncertain to play against Namibia as he recovers from a hamstring injury, in an interview with cricket.com.au.
The IPL 2024 final, featuring Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad, concluded on Sunday night with three key Australian players—Travis Head, Pat Cummins, and player of the match Mitchell Starc—participating. Additionally, Cameron Green and Glenn Maxwell, from Royal Challengers Bangalore, will join the World Cup squad later in the week in Barbados. Marcus Stoinis, from Lucknow Super Giants, will arrive in Trinidad after the Namibia match.
Travelling reserves Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matt Short will join after Australia’s first tournament match against Oman on June 5.
“It’s important to be flexible. Guys who have been at the IPL have been playing a lot of cricket. We prioritized giving them a couple of days at home to see their families, refresh, and play the long game for this tournament,” Marsh explained.
ICC rules mandate that players in warm-up games must belong to the country they represent. This means support staff, including former international cricketers Andrew McDonald, Brad Hodge, George Bailey, and ex-first grade wicketkeeper Andre Borovec, might need to field.
Marsh, who played just four IPL games for Delhi Capitals before returning to Perth for his hamstring injury consultation. Has not played since and is yet to resume bowling. “I’m probably still a little while off (bowling) – I’ll start bowling hopefully soon. Get through these practice games as a batter and then we’ll ramp it up,” Marsh stated.
“We’re lucky that we’ve got so many options with the ball and so much talent with Stoinis, Greeny. I’ll bowl when I need to bowl. I thought (this injury) was a three-weeker. Now it’s been seven (weeks). With tendons it’s a little bit on feel. Once I was ruled out of the IPL, we certainly took our time. I’m exactly where I need to be with all the planning leading into the World Cup. I’ll be ready to go.”
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