Star Metro - Australia back Head to recover for business end of World Cup

Head, who broke his hand in Centurion earlier this month, remains part of the 15-member Australian team that will open their campaign against hosts India in Chennai on October 8.

Bailey said Head, whose left hand is expected to be in a cast for at least four more weeks, will have an impact on his return in the round-robin 50-over tournament.

"First and foremost, it's about him recovering and that's the hurdle he's got to overcome. There's not a specific date in terms of a game (for his return)," Bailey told reporters on Friday.

"We are aware of the risk that if there is a setback there at some point then it makes it really challenging for Trav."

Bailey said, "He's a really important player for us. He is certainly a player who is on our first choice XI. Hopefully when he does come online, he can have a really important impact for us towards the back end of the tournament."

Marnus Labuschagne was a last-minute inclusion in the squad in place of injured Ashton Agar, a change that left five-time champions Australia with just one specialist spinner in Adam Zampa.

All-rounder Glenn Maxwell recorded match-winning figures of 4-40 with his off-spin in the final ODI against India on Wednesday to make an instant impact on his return from injury.

Bailey said Maxwell will be a force in the spin department alongside Zampa.

"I think it's unfair on 'Maxi' to say he's not a specialist spinner," Bailey said on Maxwell's ability to turn the ball.

"I think his white-ball spinning record is pretty handy and I think you could very much consider him a frontline option. We certainly consider that we have two frontline spinners within our first choice XI."

L.Mitchell--SMC