ENG vs AUS | Maxwell, Starc and Hazlewood doubtful for first ODI

After a drawn 1-1 T20I series against England, Australia are in trouble ahead of the start of the five-match ODI series, as their key players Mitchell Starc, Glenn Maxwell and Josh Hazlewood are doubtful for the first ODI.

The team’s medical staff is trying to contain a virus ‘sweeping through the visitors' camp’, reported cricket.com.au. “It's the same illness that saw skipper Mitch Marsh miss last Friday's second T20 in Cardiff,” the website added. 

Travis Head, who led the side in Marsh’s absence, was also not 100 per cent fit. Josh Inglis and Jake Fraser-McGurk are also battling injuries, and in that scenario, the Australian team would struggle to field a team of 11 players out of their 17-member squad. 

With Inglis not even batting in the nets, it has opened the doors for Alex Carey, who has not played for the Australian side since the ODI World Cup 2023. Among bowlers, Sean Abbott and Ben Dwarshuis will most likely cover for Hazlewood and Starc. Cameron Green and Aaron Hardie will make the rest of the bowling line-up. 

Mahli Beardman, who just arrived on September 17 (Tuesday) after a 24-hour flight from Australia, will most likely not make his debut in the first ODI. Though Marsh and Head have recovered, whether or not they are 100 per cent is not sure.

"It's certainly a busy schedule, there will be times when we may have to manage guys through. We'll manage that as best we can and make sure we're fielding teams to win this series,” Marsh said in the pre-match press conference. 

Marsh did confirm leg-spinner Adam Zampa would play his 100th One-Day international (ODI) on Thursday, becoming the 32nd Australian man to reach the milestone.

Australia ODI squad

Mitch Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa. Reserve: Mahli Beardman

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