Australian all-rounder Aaron Hardie is poised to join the squad for their tour of India starting on Friday, September 22. He's been earmarked as a backup for Sean Abbott and Nathan Ellis, both nursing minor injuries sustained during the recent tour of South Africa.
The inclusion of Hardie comes at a pivotal juncture for the Australian side, which is reeling from a 3-2 defeat in the one-day international series against South Africa. With the ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023 just around the corner, the team is facing a slew of injury concerns.
Dynamic opening batter Travis Head remains a doubtful starter for the marquee event, having fractured his finger during the South African series. In a bid to bolster the batting line-up, the management has roped in Matthew Short. The injury woes don't end there; Abbott has a tear in the webbing of his fingers, while Ellis is grappling with a groin strain, both injuries sustained in South Africa.
Hardie, fresh from his ODI debut in Bloemfontein on September 9, is set to stay with the team for the trio of ODIs against India, scheduled between September 22 and September 27.
In a silver lining for the Australian camp, key players such as Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, and Glenn Maxwell are all set to make their return to the one-day international fold for the India series, having recuperated from their respective injuries.
This reinforcement is a timely boost for the Australian squad, which is gearing up for the challenges of the Indian tour amidst a backdrop of injury concerns. The upcoming series promises to be a litmus test, offering a glimpse into the team's readiness and potential form for the World Cup. The cricketing giants, Australia and India, will then square off in their inaugural match of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 on October 8.
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