A side strain has stymied Sean Abbott’s return to ODI cricket as the right-arm pacer has been ruled out of the India series which takes place in January. Abbott, whose only ODI came way back in 2014, had earned a recall to the ODI squad but suffered the strain during Big Bash League match on Friday – he was playing for Sydney Sixers. As a result, he will also miss a few Big Bash League fixtures.
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D’Arcy Short, the left-handed batsman turned all-rounder, has been named Abbott’s in the squad. Short has played four ODIs so far, with his last 50-over game coming against South Africa in 2018 in Perth. He wasn’t in the scheme of things for World Cup 2019 and was only a part of the two T20Is against India earlier this year.
A recall now sees Short coming back in the scheme of things. He now also bowls left-arm spin and holds a chance of making a comeback in the playing XI in the absence of Glenn Maxwell.
Short, in total, has played four ODIs and 20 T20Is. He is currently playing for Hobart Hurricane sin the BBL 2019/20.
Abbott’s absence from the squad means the trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc will play all the three ODIs. Cummins has already decided to take rest following India series.
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The ODI series might see Marnus Labuschagne make his ODI debut. Riding on his success in the longest format, the right-handed batsman was called into the ODI squad for the first time. Australia dropped Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis for the tour.
Meanwhile. India will be bolstered by the comeback of Jasprit Bumrah. The right-arm pacer hasn’t played any form of competitive cricket for four months. Prior to the ODIs, he will play three T20Is against Sri Lanka. Rohit Sharma, who has been rested for Sri Lanka T20Is, will be back for Australia ODIs.
The three ODIs of the series will be played on January 14, 17 and 19 in Mumbai, Rajkot and Bengaluru, respectively.
Squad: Aaron Finch (Captain), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey (vc), Pat Cummins (vc), Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Ashton Turner, David Warner, Adam Zampa