Australia women suffered a major blow right ahead of the second T20I against Harmanpreet Kaur-led India as their star spinner Jess Jonassen has been ruled out of the remainder of the five-match series owing to hamstring injury.
Meanwhile, Jonassen has been replaced by another star spinner Amanda-Jade Wellington who is expected to reach India by Tuesday (December 13). Australia women routed India by nine wickets in the first T20I on December 9 as the second match will be played on Sunday (December 11). Jonassen strained her hamstring while fielding in the first match.
Kate Beerworth, Australia's physiotherapist updated on Sunday that Jonassen would return home to Australia to continue her rehabilitation.
"Unfortunately Jess sustained a right hamstring strain while fielding during the match on Friday," Beerworth told told cricket.com.au.
"She's since been assessed and it's evident that the timeframes required for a return during this series are too short. Jess will be unavailable for the remainder of the series and will return to Brisbane to continue her rehab," Beerworth further added.
Jonassen's replacement Wellington last played a T20I on the tour of India back in 2018.
Australia T20I squad: Alyssa Healy (c), Tahlia McGrath (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Heather Graham, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Amanda-Jade Wellington
India T20I squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Renuka Singh Thakur, Meghna Singh, Anjali Sarvani, Devika Vaidya, S Meghana, Richa Ghosh (wk), Harleen Deol.
Schedule of the remainder of the five-match T20I series
December 11, D.Y. Patil Stadium, Mumbai (Dec 12, 12.30am AEDT, 7.00pm IST)
December 14, Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai (Dec 15, 12.30am AEDT, 7.00pm IST)
December 17, Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai (Dec 18, 12.30am AEDT, 7.00pm IST)
December 20, Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai (Dec 21, 12.30am AEDT, 7.00pm IST)
