Melbourne– Australia’s cricket luminaries Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, and Glenn Maxwell are set to make their return to the One-day International (ODI) squad for the forthcoming three-match series in India. Their comeback follows successful recoveries from injuries, as confirmed by the Australian cricket board on Sunday.
The scheduled three ODIs are slated to be played from September 22 to 27, taking place in Mohali, Indore, and Rajkot. This series will function as a vital preparatory phase for the upcoming 50-over World Cup, commencing on October 5.
Cummins, who has been sidelined since the final Ashes Test in England in July due to a fractured wrist, is among the notable returnees. Equally significant is the comeback of fast bowler Mitchell Starc, who has been in recovery mode from a groin injury.
Steve Smith, despite playing in the Ashes series, had been dealing with a wrist tendon injury, while Glenn Maxwell had been sidelined due to an ankle injury. All four of these prominent players had refrained from participating in the ongoing ODI series in South Africa. During their absence, Mitchell Marsh led the team against the Proteas.
Matthew Short has also been added to the squad as an additional batsman, stepping in while Travis Head recuperates from a fractured left hand. The participation of opening batter Travis Head in the World Cup remains uncertain, following his hand injury during a game against South Africa on Friday.
The National Selection Panel stated, “Head will undergo further medical assessment upon returning to Australia, after which a return-to-play plan will be established.” Australia has until September 28 to finalize their 15-man World Cup roster.
Squad: Pat Cummins (captain), 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.
By Reuters
