IN FORM AND PICKED
Marnus Labuschagne has four 100s in his last five domestic games. © Getty
Australia all-rounder Cameron Green has been ruled out of the India ODIs with a side soreness. Marnus Labuschagne has been roped in as his replacement. This fresh injury, however, has been diagnosed as ‘low grade’ and Cricket Australia has taken the precautionary route given his importance to Australia’s Ashes plans.
Green will sit out of the ODIs on October 19, 23 and 25, but is expected to feature in Western Australia’s next Sheffield Shield game that begins on October 28. The all-rounder made his competitive bowling return in last week’s Shield game for the first time since his back surgery last year, and picked a wicket in a four-over spell. Cricket Australia stated that the his current setback is not related to the operation he underwent last October.
“Green will complete a short period of rehabilitation and is tracking to return to play in round three of the Sheffield Shield to continue his preparation for the Ashes,” CA said in a statement this morning.
Labuschagne returns to the ODI setup in the midst of rich form as two of his four centuries for his domestic side Queensland have come in the 50-over format. The top-order batter was initially overlooked for selection after he returned scores of 1 and 1 in the home ODIs against South Africa in August.
With this change, Australia have now had to make three of them for the series opener against India – with Josh Phillippe replacing Josh Inglis, whose recovery from a calf strain continues, while Adam Zampa is set to miss out on the opener in Perth due to family reasons. From the second fixture onwards, Australia will have Zampa, Carey and Inglis ready to feature.
Australia squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw, Matthew Short, Mitchell Starc.
Inclusions from second ODI onwards: Adam Zampa, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis
© Cricbuzz
