Australia’s cricket team has received a major boost ahead of next month’s three-match ODI series in India, as three key players are set to make their return from injuries. Selectors have announced a strong 16-member squad for the series, which includes all-rounders Glenn Maxwell and Mitch Marsh, both of whom were sidelined with injuries (broken leg and ankle respectively). Additionally, pacer Jhye Richardson, who was also recovering from a hamstring injury, will join the duo in the small group of players making their international comeback during the series.
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Pat Cummins, one of the most experienced pacers in the team, will captain the Australian side during the three matches. Alongside him, the team will also feature the likes of David Warner, Steve Smith, and Marnus Labuschagne, who bring a wealth of experience and skill to the batting line-up.
According to George Bailey, the chief selector, the India tour is a fantastic opportunity for Australia to fine-tune their skills ahead of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, which is slated to take place in India later this year. The series will provide the team with some valuable practice and help them get acclimatized to the conditions in the subcontinent, which will be crucial for their success in the World Cup.
“With the World Cup just over seven months away, these matches in India are an important step in our preparation. Glenn, Mitchell and Jhye are all important players in what we think the squad might look like come October,” Bailey said.
Despite being forced out of the ongoing Test tour of India due to an Achilles injury, the experienced seamer Josh Hazlewood has been included in the Australian touring party for the upcoming three-match ODI series in India. His presence in the squad will provide the team with much-needed experience and skill in the fast bowling department, which will be crucial in the conditions of the subcontinent. The selectors are hopeful that Hazlewood will recover in time for the ODI series and make a valuable contribution to the team’s success in the tournament.
“It would be great for Josh to be part of this series but we have taken a conservative view ahead of a very important winter in England of which he will be an integral part,” Bailey said in a media talk.
India vs Australia ODI Series Schedule
| Mar 17, Fri | India vs Australia 1st ODI | 4:30am EST | 8:30am GMT | 2pm Local IST Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
| Mar 19, Sun | India vs Australia 2nd ODI | 4:30am EST | 8:30am GMT | 2pm Local IST Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam |
| Mar 22, Wed | India vs Australia 3rd ODI | 4:30am EST | 8:30am GMT | 2pm Local IST MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
Australia ODI squad against India
Pat Cummins (C), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner and Adam Zampa.
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