Australia opener Usman Khawaja was cleared of a serious head injury after he got a big blow in the head by Andre Russell’s bouncer and being forced to retire hurt during Australia’s unofficial warm-up game against West Indies in Southampton on Wednesday (May 22). He underwent scans on his jaw after the incident which took place in the second over of Australia’s innings and he was taken to the Rose Bowl’s Nursery Ground. However, his side won the game by seven wickets.
“It copped him on the side of the cheekbone, I think. The main thing is he is okay and can bounce back pretty quickly. Obviously (he was) a bit shaken, as you are when you get hit on the head, but Uzzy’s a tough cookie and he’ll be ready to go,” said Shaun Marsh.
Marsh scored an unbeaten half-century in a 109-run partnership with the former captain Steve Smith in Australia’s 230-run chase. Smith smashed seven boundaries and two sixes in his 76-run knock. Marsh, however, said that it was good to see Smith and former vice-captain David Warner, back in the squad after the end of their one-year bans for the ball-tampering controversy.
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“(Smith) has just come back and just done what he’s usually does and scored runs,” Marsh added. “It’s just fantastic to have them both back in the team. They are both really valuable players for us.”
As Steve Smith and David Warner have returned in the squad, it will be tough for Marsh to get a place in the playing XI for the World Cup opener against Afghanistan in Bristol on June 1 but he thought he would get a chance because of his versatility.
“I think I’m nice and flexible,” Marsh added. “I’ve batted from one to six over my career so I’ll just enjoy the last two warmup matches and we’ll see.”
Australia will take on the host of this year’s World Cup, England, in their next warm-up game, in the Rose Bowl, Southampton on Saturday, May 25.
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“I think it’s going to be a great challenge and we’ll see where we’re at,” Marsh expressed.
