Cricket LIVE: Head goes as Australia make brisk start

Matt Short and Marsh have had a mid-pitch mix-up after Short bunted the ball to Gill at mid-off. The pair hesitated mid-pitch, before Short was forced to dive when crossing the crease. Had Gill connected on a direct hit, Short was gone. Australia are 1-63 after 10 overs.

Siraj claims the vital wicket of Travis Head (25 off 29 deliveries, six boundaries), flicking the paceman straight to the catcher at backward point. Australia are 1-61 off 9.2 overs. Matt Short joins Marsh (25 off 31) at the crease.

Mitch Marsh has flicked paceman Prasidh Krishna over square leg for six which travelled 88m. Two deliveries later, Travis Head has flicked the paceman for four through mid-wicket. Head has since passed 3000 ODI career runs. It’s trouble here for the tourists ... Australia are 0-44 off seven overs.

Australian fast bowling star Tayla Vlaeminck will not play in the WBBL season, as she continues her recovery from shoulder surgery.

Vlaeminck had intended to play for the Melbourne Renegades for the first time since she dislocated her right shoulder during Australia’s T20 World Cup campaign in October 2024.

But in emerged on Saturday that the 26-year-old has not progressed far enough in her rehabilitation to be fit in time for the November 9 season start.

“Following a right shoulder injury sustained during the 2024 ICC women’s T20 World Cup that required reconstruction surgery, Tayla’s recovery has been impacted by ongoing limitations, restricting her ability to progress her bowling and work through the end stages of her return to play plan,” Australian women’s team physiotherapist Kate Beerworth said in a statement.

“We’ll continue to work with Tayla, the Melbourne Renegades and Cricket Victoria to support her through this next phase.”

That’s back-to-back boundaries for Australia, Travis Head’s bunting cover drive off Siraj following on from Mitch Marsh’s sweet drive to end the fourth over. Australia are 0-22 off 4.1 overs.

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