Australia has just unveiled the list of 18 players who will be hitting the ground for the upcoming 3-match ODI series against India. The action is all set to kick off on September 22nd at the PCA Stadium in Mohali. Pat Cummins is all set to lead the Australian team.
Following a successful recovery from his wrist injury, Pat Cummins is back and prepared to captain the Australian team. Travis Head, who was struck by a short ball from Gerald Coetzee during the 4th One-Day International against South Africa, fractured his left hand and is now questionable to play in the World Cup owing to this. Head’s rehabilitation time frame seems to be rather long, which raises questions about his chances of playing in the World Cup.
Prior to making any changes to their preliminary World Cup roster, Australia has chosen to give uncapped players Matt Short and Spencer Johnson a chance. The deadline for deciding on their team for the upcoming major event is September 28. The series’ penultimate one-day international will take place on September 27 at Rajkot’s Saurashtra Cricket Stadium between Australia and India. Australia’s squad now includes Marnus Labuschagne, Tanveer Sangha, and Nathan Ellis in addition to Short and Johnson. These athletes did not make up Australia’s original World Cup roster.
The good news for Australia is that Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, and Glenn Maxwell have all fully recovered from their ailments and are ready to play against India, giving them crucial match experience before the World Cup. However, because he will be with his family for the birth of his child, left-arm spinner Ashton Agar won’t be available for selection. Despite a number of injuries throughout the camp, Australia’s greatest worry is still Travis Head’s drawn-out rehabilitation, which might lead them to consider other possibilities for the World Cup.
Marnus Labuschagne has been making the most of his time in South Africa by practicing against Indian bowlers after initially being left off the World Cup preliminary squad and South Africa trip. When Labuschagne was brought in as a replacement, he jumped at the chance with tremendous enthusiasm. Due to Head’s terrible injury, Labuschagne is once more vying to play for Australia in the 2023 World Cup. The first World Cup game between Australia and India is set for October 8 at Chennai’s Chepauk Stadium.
Australia squad for the ODI series against India:
Pat Cummins (C), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa
