Injuries are the most painful part of any athlete’s career, both mentally and physically. And they are inevitable in the field of sports. Just ahead of the World Cup this year, in India, many teams have been struck by the woes of injuries.Â
Many players are feared to miss out on the canon event of cricket after enduring injuries, which includes some big names.
OZs camp prays for the best
During the recent ODI series against the South Africans, Proteas seamer Gerald Coerzee’s short delivery left Aussies batter Travis Head with a broken thumb. He is in doubt about the upcoming World Cup, especially during the start of the tournament.
Batting prodigy, Steve Smith is another name on the injured list of Australian players. The star Aussies batter player with an injured left wrist in the last three matches of Ashes 2023. Owing to this he missed the recent Australia tour of South Africa but is expected to be back for the ODI campaign against India, in their backyard just before the World Cup.
The key figure in Aussie’s pace trio, Mitchell Starc endured a shoulder injury and experienced groin soreness after the completion of Ashes in July, earlier this year. Just like his teammate Steven Smith, the lethal pacer is expected to show up against India, as told by his fellow pacer Josh Hazlewood in his recent interview.
Pakistan’s hopes in Jeopardy
Earlier on Saturday, mayhem unfolded in Pakistan’s camp as the news of Naseem Shah, likely missing the entire World Cup flashed on the news. The young pace sensation sustained a shoulder injury in the match of Super 4s against India. Precautionary measures were taken, and pacer Zaman Khan was named his substitution for the rest of the tournament. The 20-year-old has injured his bowling arm, which is in worse condition than expected after the result of scans came out.
Another Pakistani frontline bowler, Haris Rauf, experienced a side strain during the match against India in the Super 4s. However skipper Babar Azam is confident about the recovery of Rauf, and he is expected to be fit before the World Cup. However, no specified news has been released on Rauf’s inclusion in the team.
Lankas dreams are disrupted too
Right-arm fast bowler, Dushmantha Chameera sustained a shoulder injury in the Lankan Premier League, owing to which he was ruled out of the Asia Cup, which will be concluded on Sunday.
One of the most impactful all-rounders in the world currently, Wanindu Hasaranga was left out of the Asia Cup after he picked a side strain. However, the Lankan management also did not allow him to play in the Asia Cup as a precautionary measure. The Lankan fans and its team will be hoping for his comeback ahead of the biggest tournament in world cricket, the 50-over World Cup.
Chennai Super Kings’ star spinner Maheesha Theekshana was dropped from the Sri Lankan playing 11 ahead of the Asia Cup final against India on Sunday. He endured a hamstring tear in the game against Pakistan earlier this week. Though in pain, he still bowled three overs after sustaining that injury. His exclusion has aggravated Sri Lanka’s problems in the bowling lineup.
Kiwis face two blows in one match
The part-time New Zealand skipper, Tim Southee’s inclusion in the World Cup is surrounded by doubts. As reported by the New Zealand Cricket, the spearhead bowler suffered fracture in the right thumb, while dropping a catch against England in the 4th ODI match.
In the same match, hard-hitting batter Daryl Mitchell dislocated his left ring finger while eyeing a low catch at slips to dismiss England opener Jonny Bairstow. However, kiwi fans took a sigh of relief as he was able to bowl as well as return to the pitch for the 21 over. The allrounder allayed any injury concerns before the World Cup.
Dark clouds over the preparations of other teams as well
On Saturday, just a day before the final of the Asia Cup, Indian all-rounder Axar Patel was ruled out due to bruises and injuries, that he picked up in the last game of Super 4s against Bangladesh. As his ability to play a competitive match was not sure, spin all-rounder Washington Sundar was called up as his replacement.
Pacers are prone to injury, specifically related to their backs. Frontline fast bowler, Anrich Nortje, who is known to click 150 kmph, endured a stress fracture during the game against the Aussies. However, the scans reveal that he can resume bowling practice after the end of the series, which does not diminish his chances for the World Cup in India.
