In order to manage Xavier Bartlett's workload, Australia has chosen to sideline him for the second ODI against the West Indies. The 25-year-old earned his first call-up to the national squad thanks to his outstanding performance in the recently finished Big Bash League (BBL), but the management has larger intentions because he is one of the players they are watching closely ahead of the T20 World Cup. Notably, he was selected Player of the Match after taking four wickets in the first match of the series against the West Indies.
The pacer is anticipated to return in the third One-Day International (ODI) in Canberra, while Josh Hazlewood is probably going to take his place in the second game at the legendary Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
Following the first ODI, Bartlett disclosed the injury he sustained prior to the new season, which is one of the reasons the team management is concentrating on his workload.
Conversely, Australia's ace batsman Travis Head was dropped from the ODI and T20I teams. The southpaw will next play in the Test series against New Zealand before the IPL, so workload management appears to be the reason. For the third ODI, left-arm pacer Spencer Johnson, who was instrumental in the Brisbane Heat's second BBL championship, will just be a cover for the national team.
Interestingly, Cricket Australia is yet to name Head’s replacement for the remainder of the series. However, in his absence, youngster Jake Fraser-McGurk is expected to make his debut at SCG.