Oct 15 (Reuters) - Australian opener Travis Head has returned to batting for the first time since he fractured his left hand and could join the World Cup squad on Friday, Cricket Australia said on Sunday. Head broke his finger in a one-day international against South Africa last month but was included in the 15-man World Cup squad as selectors hoped he would be fit in time for the latter stages of the tournament. "It's coming along well, and probably better than we hoped," Head told cricket.com.au. Head says there was stiffness having had a splint for four weeks but was able to bat and play some shots. Australia are winless in two games and sit ninth in the standings ahead of Monday's game against Sri Lanka in Lucknow.

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Persons: Travis Head, Head, cricket.com.au, Rohith Nair, Christian Radnedge Organizations: World, Cricket Australia, South, Sri, Thomson Locations: South Africa, Adelaide, India, Netherlands, New Delhi, Australia, Sri Lanka, Lucknow, Bengaluru