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Travis Head has failed to be ruled fit for Australia’s World Cup clash against Netherlands, with skipper Pat Cummins revealing the opener is “close” to a return.
Head fractured his left hand whilst touring South Africa last month but re-joined the squad earlier this week and was widely expected to play before Cummins confirmed his absence at the coin toss.
“It was just a bridge too far today,” he said.
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“We gave him right up until this morning, but we thought he might need another few days.”
All-rounder Marcus Stoinis was also sidelined with a calf problem, with Cameron Green coming into the side in his place.
Cummins won the toss and elected to bat first. After a record-breaking 259-run opening stand against Pakistan last time out, there were no opening heroics this time, as Mitchell Marsh fell early.
Australia sits in fourth place in the standings with a 2-2 record, including a win last Friday over Pakistan. Australia and Pakistan are level on points but the Australians have a better net run-rate and have played one game fewer.
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The Dutch side is 1-3, its only win coming in a huge upset victory over South Africa last week.
It is seventh in the standings, equal on two points with Sri Lanka, defending champion England and Bangladesh but ahead on net run-rate.
The Netherlands is unchanged from its previous game against Sri Lanka, which it lost by five wickets.
