Before the start of the 3-match ODI series between India and Australia, big news has come forward.
According to reports, allrounder Glenn Maxwell and pacer Mitchell Starc have been ruled out for the visitors for the 1st ODI.
However, skipper Pat Cummins is hoping that both will be available for selection in the final two games of the series.
Apparently, Starc is recovering from his groin injury that he got during the 2023 Ashes while Maxwell is recovering from ankle soreness due to which he had to leave the South Africa series.
Moreover, Maxi will join his teammates tomorrow and will remain for the rest of the series.
Meanwhile, there is some good news for the visitors as well. Skipper Pat Cummins and batter Steve Smith are fit after recovering from their wrist injuries and will play in the 1st ODI.
Speaking on the team combination, Cummins says,
We want to strike the balance between getting used to these conditions, hopefully winning some games, but we also don’t want to get to that first game [of the World Cup] and already be cooked. No doubt we’ll be trying a few different combinations, a few different players will get a chance but ideally we’d like to structure up pretty closely to how we’ll play in the World Cup.
Cummins praises Marnus Labuschagne and says that he should push others to claim his spot
On the other hand, Cummins also lavished heavy praises on his middle-order batter, Marnus Labuschagne.
During the South Africa tour, Labuschagne was the highest run-scorer with 283 runs in five games.
Therefore, Cummins wants him to perform similarly against India in this three-match ODI series.
Marnus (Labuschagne) is always ringing in my head, 24 hours (laughs). He was fantastic. He was our best batter in South Africa. Not only batting wise, his intent was excellent there in South Africa. I am sure he will get his chance in three games and push for his spot.
After completing this series, Australia will once again face India in their opening game of the ODI World Cup 2023 at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium.
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