NEWS
Follow UsAustralia began their England tour on a high by defeating the home side by 28 runs at the Utilita Bowl in Southampton. However, their victory was slightly soured by a side strain injury to their new pacer Xavier Bartlett.
Bartlett was in his fourth consecutive over but didn't complete his fourth over after bowling just four balls in the over. Bartlett was successful, too, as he removed Jordan Cox for 17.
However, he didn’t complete his fourth over after bowling four balls in the over. Bartlett’s injury was preceded by the loss of Spencer Johnson to a side strain, who had injured himself playing for the Oval Invincibles in the Hundred. Nathan Ellis had also pulled out from the tour after harming his hamstring.
Skipper Marsh was disappointed talking about his player’s injury after the game.
"I think he's hurt his thigh,” Marsh said.
"It's always disappointing to see a young fellow go down but hopefully it's not too bad."
Sean Abbott and Riley Meredith are currently covering for Johnson and Ellis in the T20I series, but no replacements have been announced for Bartlett yet in the T20 series. However, left-arm pacer Ben Dawrshuis has been called in as his cover during the ODI series. Although, he’s yet to be officially added to the squad.
In the absence of Bartlett, Meredith can find himself running in with the ball for Australia once again.
Earlier, Bartlett burst into the scene with consecutive four-wicket hauls against the West Indies in Australia. Unfortunately, the side strain has also cast doubts over his participation in the domestic Marsh Cup, which starts in early October.
The first T20I will be followed by two more T20Is, the second on September 13 in Cardiff, and the third in Manchester on September 15. The five-match ODI series begins in Nottingham just four days after the end of the T20I series.
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