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Australia have been hit with an injury crisis as their star batter Travis Head has been ruled out of the upcoming series against India, raising doubts about whether he will make the squad for the ODI World Cup 2023. In his absence, Matthew Short, who plays in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Punjab Kings, earned a maiden call-up in his absence.
On Sunday evening, Cricket Australia unveiled an 18-player squad for the three-match series against India, which gets underway in Mohali on Friday, September 22.
“Head will undertake further medical review on return to Australia before a return to play schedule is determined,” CA said in a statement.
Head fractured his wrist during their ODI against South Africa at Centurion, was the notable absentee, with the 29-year-old set to return to Australia following the ongoing white-ball tour of South Africa.
Meanwhile, the likes of Aaron Hardie, Michael Neser and Tim David, who featured in the ODI squad against South Africa, have missed out on selection.
In case Head is unable to gain his fitness in time for the upcoming World Cup in India, Marnus Labuschagne is the most likely candidate to take his place in the 15-player squad in the upcoming tournament, which needs to be announced before September 28.
Short made his international debut earlier this month, and has now earned his maiden ODI call-up, joining the likes of fringe members Tanveer Sangha, Spencer Johnson and Nathan Ellis in the squad.
Skipper Pat Cummins, and veteran members of the squad in Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell, all return to the squad after recovering from injury, while spinner Ashton Agar will miss the series due to the birth of his first child.
Australia squad for ODI series vs India
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
