LAHORE: Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has been ruled out of the remainder of white-ball series against Pakistan with a low-grade hip flexor injury, Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed on Wednesday.
The all-rounder, who was player-of-the-match in Australia’s Twenty20 World Cup final win against New Zealand last year, injured his left hip flexor in training and missed Tuesday’s opening one-day against Pakistan.
According to the statement, Marsh will be released from the squad following an assessment that he would not be available for selection in the remaining three matches of the tour.
“Marsh will travel to India to link with the Delhi Capitals squad where former Australian and current New South Wales physiotherapist Pat Farhart will manage his recovery following an isolation period,” the statement read.
The cricket board further mentioned that the Australian team’s medical staff deemed it the most effective way for Marsh to recover as quickly as possible without having to interrupt his rehabilitation.
“Being able to focus on my recovery without the travel and isolation break is the best approach. I am disappointed to miss the Pakistan series but look forward to re-joining the Australian squad for our next tour,” Marsh said in a statement.
The tourists have suffered multiple injury problems and were also hit by positive COVID-19 cases, including team physio Brendan Wilson. CA said all available players and staff in Pakistan returned negative tests following Tuesday’s match and again on Wednesday.
The Kangaroos secured a comfortable 88-run victory over Pakistan in the first game of their three-match series on Tuesday with the help of a blistering century of Australia’s Travis Head.
Travis Head’s 72-ball 101 guided Australia to a challenging 313-7 before the 28-year-old turned his arm over for 2-35 to bowl Pakistan out for 225 in 45.2 overs.
Leg-spinner Adam Zampa also starred with the ball, taking 4-38 in ten probing overs. The victory gives Australia a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, their tenth successive ODI win over Pakistan since January 2017.
