Australia’s Travis Head says Gerald Coetzee hit a ‘blessing in disguise’ | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: Australia‘s opener, Travis Head, entered the World Cup later than expected due to a fractured hand, but he views the injury as a “blessing in disguise.”
The five-time champions are set to face South Africa in the second semi-final in Kolkata on Thursday, where Head will once again confront fast bowler Gerald Coetzee, whose delivery caused the injury.

Head sustained the injury during the third one-day international of Australia’s tour of South Africa in September when a rising delivery from Coetzee struck him on the left arm, resulting in a fracture.

Although Head was at risk of missing the World Cup, Australia retained him in the squad until he regained fitness. In his sixth league match, Head played a crucial role, scoring a match-winning century against New Zealand.
Facing Coetzee again, who has claimed 18 wickets in seven matches in the tournament, Head acknowledged that injuries are an inherent part of sports. The confrontation between the two players adds an intriguing element to the upcoming semi-final clash.
“I said to Gerald at the time I’m sure he didn’t mean to hit me in the hand. It was probably aimed a little bit higher than that,” Head, a left-hand batsman, joked.
“But that’s all part of the game. So I take a relaxed approach to all that sort of stuff whether it’s performance or injuries.”
He said: “He did me a favour, I got four weeks at home with the family, so I got refreshed to come back. And hopefully I can be refreshed and energised and can perform at the back end of the tournament. It might be a blessing in disguise.”
Head smashed a 67-ball 109 in the must-win match against New Zealand but misfired in the next three with scores of 11, 0 and 10.
Head, 29, said his style is not all-out attack. He is just as content playing the waiting game as well.
“I feel like I try and give myself the best chance to score off balls that I feel like I can and respect the ones in between,” he said.
“I think you have to do that. It’s international cricket, so I don’t think it’s all guns blazing every time.
“So it’s a balancing act. I feel like I’m in a good mindset to give myself the best chance to be as positive as I can be.”
Australia won seven straight matches in the league stage and remained two wins away from their sixth title.
“I’m sure everyone has thought about that,” Head said. “It hasn’t really been spoken about as a group, but we know what’s at the end of this tournament and what’s up for grabs.”
Head has played 62 ODIs for Australia since his debut in 2016 and scored 2,194 runs.
(With AFP inputs)