Daijiworld Media Network – Melbourne
Melbourne, Oct 7: Australian cricket selectors have announced the squads for the upcoming white-ball series against India, marking the return of pacer Mitchell Starc and the recall of uncapped batter Matthew Renshaw to the ODI side. The three-match ODI series begins on October 19, followed by five T20 internationals as Australia prepares for next year’s T20 World Cup.
Starc, who was rested during the South Africa series to manage his workload, returns after a short break following the West Indies tour. Though he recently retired from T20 internationals, he remains an integral part of Australia’s ODI setup as the team begins rebuilding after the retirement of senior players Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis.
The 15-member ODI squad features fresh faces including Renshaw, Matt Short and Mitch Owen. Both Short and Owen were sidelined earlier due to injuries but are now fit to return. Renshaw, who impressed in domestic cricket with consistent performances for Queensland and Australia A, is expected to make his ODI debut.
Mitchell Marsh continues as ODI captain in the absence of Pat Cummins, who is recovering from a back injury ahead of the Ashes. Alex Carey will miss the opening game in Perth to play in the Sheffield Shield for South Australia.
Selection chairman George Bailey said the selectors aimed to balance preparations for both the upcoming Test summer and the T20 World Cup. He stated that while the majority of the T20 squad will stay together, some players will be rotated to manage workloads and maintain readiness for the home season.
Josh Inglis returns to the T20 side as wicketkeeper after recovering from a calf strain, while Nathan Ellis rejoins following the birth of his first child. Glenn Maxwell remains unavailable due to wrist surgery, and Cameron Green has been rested to focus on red-ball cricket.
The first ODI will be played in Perth on October 19, followed by matches in Adelaide and Sydney. The T20I series starts on October 29 in Canberra, with subsequent matches in Melbourne, Hobart, Gold Coast and Brisbane.
Australia ODI squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Renshaw, Matthew Short, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa
Australia T20I squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa