Cricket Australia, on Thursday, announced a strong 16-man squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against India.
The trio of Glenn Maxwell, Mitch Marsh and Jhye Richardson (hamstring) has recovered from their respective injuries and are set to make their international return with the ODI leg in India.
Captain Pat Cummins (illness in the family), David Warner (hairline fracture in left elbow) and Ashton Agar (released from Test squad) who were sent home after the second Test in Delhi, have been named in the ODI squad. Cummins will return before the third Test while opener Warner and left-arm spinner Agar will join the team ahead of the ODI series.
The upcoming 50-over matches will give Australia some excellent practice ahead of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup that is scheduled to take place in India later this year, according to chief selector George Bailey.
“With the World Cup just over seven months away, these matches in India are an important step in our preparation,” Bailey said in his official statement.
“Glenn, Mitchell and Jhye are all important players in what we think the squad might look like come October.”
But seam bowler Josh Hazlewood will continue to sit out after he too flew home early due to an Achilles’ injury.
“It would be great for Josh to be part of this series but we have taken a conservative view ahead of a very important winter in England of which he will be an integral part,” added Bailey.
The first ODI between India and Australia is scheduled in Mumbai on March 17, before the remaining two games in Visakhapatnam (March 19) and Chennai (March 22).
Australia ODI squad:
Pat Cummins (captain), Steve Smith, David Warner, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa, Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar.