No timeline has been set yet, but the good news is that he doesn’t require surgery at the moment, Cricket.com.au quoted MacDonald as saying.

He will be out for an extended period of time and we just have to weigh up whether that time will coincide with the possibility of rescheduling him for the first half of the World Cup.

There’s no doubt he won’t be available for the first half of the World Cup, so that’s a decision we have to make for the final 15-player squad. But I can’t give an exact timeline.

Marnus back in line

Head’s injury could open the door to the lineup for middle-infield batter Marnus Labuschagne. Labuschagne, who lost his ODI spot, has returned to form and is Australia’s top scorer with 283 runs at an average of 70.75.

I can’t speak on behalf of the selection committee and shut him out of the World Cup 15, but no doubt it looks likely, MacDonald said of Labuschagne’s Cup hopes of the world.

He has changed his on-field demeanor considerably and is putting pressure on bowlers (more) than he did 12 months ago. In this series he is hitting around 100 strikes.

We know that Marnus is a quality player and he may not have had the 12-18 months in one-day cricket that he would have liked.

But he has certainly grabbed the opportunity with both hands and there is no doubt that he will be the center of attention when it comes to the 15-man squad.

Fresh injuries

Australia seamers Nathan Ellis and Shaun Abbott suffered fresh injuries during Australia’s 2-3 series defeat against South Africa.

Ellis suffered a sprained adductor and was unable to finish his game after umpiring eight overs.

Abbott tore a spider web on his finger while playing on the field and had to have stitches, but he was able to finish his game and MacDonald suggested he should be ready for the upcoming series against India.

Teams couldут make changes to their World Cup squads until September 28.