Big stars return as Australia announce squad for India ODIs

After missing the South Africa series due to respective injuries, Pat Cummins, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell are back in the Australia squad for the three-match One-Day International series against India.

Cummins, who has recovered from his wrist injury, will take over the leadership role from Mitchell Marsh and captain the 18-man squad, which doesn’t feature Travis Head. The dynamic opener fractured his left hand in the fourth ODI against South Africa and is even doubtful for the World Cup.

Australia have also included Matt Short and Spencer Johnson in the squad, with Marnus Labuschagne, Tanveer Sanga, and Nathan Ellis being the other non-World Cup squad members in the team. Aaron Hardie, Tim David, and Michael Neser, who were all part of the squad for the South Africa series, won’t be travelling to India.

Starc (groin and shoulder) and Smith (wrist) are close to being match-ready and should feature in the ODI series against India. Maxwell, who was ruled out of the South Africa series due to ankle pain, will slot in the middle-order, with Marsh taking the opening spot in the absence of Head. 

Labuschagne, who came in as a concussion substitute for Cameron Green during the South Africa series, has managed to cash in and could replace Head in the World Cup squad if the latter doesn’t recover on time.

The first ODI will be played in Mohali on September 22 before the action shifts to Indore (September 24) and Rajkot (September 27) respectively. 

Australia squad: 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.