†[It’s a] a bit more of a precaution,” Aaron Finch said of Head. “Especially where he does fields in the outfield he puts in quite a few miles and the ground is quite heavy. I’m not sure what he looks like for the exhibition games. One more to add to the list right now. Starcy still isn’t good with his finger. Where it is, the stitching is still not quite 100% healed. Without being able to bowl without tape, he will be out too.”
Australia has endured a long list of casualties on the tour’s cue. Sean Abbott (broken finger) was ruled out before the games started, followed by Marsh who has since recovered from a calf injury, Kane Richardson (hamstring), Marcus Stoinis (side) and Ashton Agar (side) along with Starc and Smith.
Looking back on the ODI series, which Sri Lanka secured two days ago with their four-run win, Finch found that Australia had been unable to build a great partnership to take them deep into the innings with many wickets in hand. as a deciding factor. They have drawn up a long batting order in the last two games with Cameron Green at number 8.
“Every time we start to get momentum in the game, we lose a wicket and in these circumstances, once you lose one, they go back-to-back pretty quickly,” he said. “Remember, just maximizing that main partnership where you can make it to 40 in maybe three down has hindered us a little bit.”
After Friday’s final ODI, Australia’s next 50-over cricket will be the series against Zimbabwe and New Zealand, starting at home at the end of August. Unlike these matches against Sri Lanka, these matches will earn World Cup Super League points. There remains uncertainty as to whether their other home series, against South Africa in January, will continue after CSA asked for it to be moved so they can launch their new T20 competition.
