Australia pace spearhead Mitchell Starc, and all-rounders Mitchell Marsh, Marcus Stoinis are set to miss the upcoming T20I series against India due to injuries.
The injured trio will be replaced on their journey to India by bowler Nathan Ellis, all-rounder Daniel Sams, and Sean Abbott, according to a report in cricket.com.au. The matches are scheduled for September 20, 23, and 25 in Mohali, Nagpur, and Hyderabad, respectively.
“The injuries to the trio are minor, but with the travel involved for three games in three separate cities in six days in India, Australia has taken a cautious approach with their T20 World Cup campaign due to start on October 22 when they face New Zealand at the SCG,” said the report.
Marsh and Stoinis were injured during Australia’s ODI series against Zimbabwe at Townsville and against New Zealand at Cairns. But Starc, their pace spearhead, is a late exclusion from the tour to India after a scan on his knee in Sydney on Wednesday. The trios absence means that Australia will have some changes to their desired playing eleven on tour of India.
“The absence of Stoinis all-but guarantees Tim David will make his Australian debut on the tour as a middle-order finisher, and gives him the chance to make it difficult for Stoinis to force his way back into the side.”
“Marsh’s absence could see Steve Smith move back up to No.3 with allrounder Cameron Green coming into the side, while Josh Inglis is likely to partner Aaron Finch at the top of the order with Warner rested from the tour for family time,” added the report.
After playing three T20Is against India, Australia will play home T20I series against the West Indies and England in the lead-up to their T20 World Cup title defence at home.
Australia squad: Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins (vice-captain), Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Finch (captain), Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Daniel Sams, Steve Smith, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa.
(inputs from IANS)
