Head revealed that he has suffered four injuries in the nets since his hand came out of the splint. He started by simply hitting tennis balls and progressed to facing the sidearm in the nets in Delhi on Saturday. He is optimistic about playing against the Netherlands on Wednesday but is more likely to return for the clash with New Zealand in Dharamsala on Saturday.
“I had a very good success yesterday,” Head said in Delhi on Sunday. “I think each season is getting better, but again we have to take into account the fact that I think it was five weeks (since the injury) a few days ago, and I’ve been told off about six times – Week Icon.
“Everything is going well, but again, it’s (about) how I woke up this morning. It’s how I can potentially come back and train tomorrow.
“There are still some things I need to fix but I’m optimistic. We’ll see what happens. If it continues at this pace, who knows. Just taking it day by day to hope to give myself the best chance.” Keep doing things during the day.”
Head said he was confident that the bone had healed and he only had to deal with some pain and stiffness in his arm. He also needs to regain strength and mobility in his left arm, as it has been in a splint for four weeks, though he doesn’t think it will affect his strength.
“I don’t hit big sixes anyway, so I’ll probably keep them on the carpet a little more,” Head said.
He is capable of bowling during his time off but his bowling, while useful, is not crucial to his comeback. Fielding is the other major question.
“I’ve been doing some catching but I’m not in full swing yet,” Head said. “So that’s another thing we need to fix over the next few days. I’m optimistic. Obviously, it’s important to understand the process. Not trying to rush into it too much because that could set us back.” But it feels good. Catching up hasn’t been an issue so far. The progress over the next few days is to field and see where I am.
“(I’ll) take steps slowly once I get back to make sure I’m ready to be there.”
“It wasn’t something I expected at the time,” Head said. “Obviously there were a lot of emotions at the beginning of those three or four days, to think that I had missed a chance to be involved again. And I felt like I was making a good contribution.
“When I left (South Africa) and they put it on the table there were a lot of things that needed to be done really well. Very lucky the group stayed healthy as well because that was another scenario that might not have happened. So glad the boys were fit and running well which meant they could keep me around, which is good.
“But it’s also good to have the confidence to potentially do the right thing and now it’s just a case of hoping to get better day by day and hopefully I can contribute in the end and I think that gives me some confidence. Will get it back.”