Australia duo battling fitness concerns ahead of T20 World Cup
A pair of Australia's most experienced players have picked up injuries at the ongoing edition of the IPL, less than two months out from their opening fixture at the T20 World Cup.
Australia are monitoring injuries to a pair of key players just weeks out from the start of this year's ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
All-rounder Mitch Marsh is battling a hamstring injury and recently departed the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) to return to Australia to continue his rehabilitation.
Mitchell Marsh hit a number of big sixes in Pune.
While Marsh is expected to recover in time for Australia's first match at the T20 World Cup against Oman on June 5, it remains to be seen whether the 32-year-old will return to India and feature for the Delhi Capitals in the backend of the IPL.
Marsh had managed scores of just 20, 23, 18 and 0 from four innings for Delhi, but will be a crucial member of Australia's T20 World Cup tilt when the ninth edition of the 20-over showcase commences in the USA and Caribbean in June.
Marsh is expected to be named as Australia's full-time captain in the shortest format prior to the T20 World Cup, with coach Andrew McDonald indicating last month the hard-hitting No.3 was an obvious choice for the job after he performed well during recent series against the West Indies and New Zealand.
"I think all roads will lead to Mitch, so just got to get that ticked off in certain areas," McDonald said of the vacant T20 captaincy role.
"We're happy and comfortable with the way he's been able to operate with that T20 team.
"We think he's the leader for the World Cup, and I think that will just be a matter of due course."
Fellow top-order batter David Warner is also nursing an injury complaint, with the veteran Australia opener hurting his finger while batting in the IPL on Friday.
Warner was hit on the finger while batting for the Delhi Capitals against the Lucknow Super Giants and his fitness is being monitored ahead of his side's next fixture against the Gujarat Titans on Wednesday.
Warner is likely to be Australia’s opening batter alongside Travis Head at the T20 World Cup this year.