Back from injury, Australia captain Pat Cummins is all set to play the first ODI against India on September 22. Mitchell Starc misses out as he is yet to fully recover from ‘groin soreness’.

Subscribe to the Wisden Cricket YouTube channel for post-match analysis, player interviews, and much more.

Australia will be bolstered by the return of regular players who missed the white-ball tour of South Africa owing to injuries. Captain Pat Cummins had sustained a wrist injury in the 2023 Ashes, and has declared himself fit in a press conference. Steve Smith will also return to the playing XI after nursing a wrist injury. He was sweating it out in the nets.

However, Mitchell Starc, the highest wicket-taker (23) in the 2023 Ashes, is unavailable for selection. Australia included him in the 18-member squad for the India tour despite Starc playing the fifth Ashes Test with a shoulder injury. Upon his return home, he experienced soreness in his groin as well.

Glenn Maxwell will skip the first ODI as well. Having sustained a painful leg injury last year, he twisted his ankle during a training session in South Africa and hasn’t played ever since.

Cummins updated on his colleagues’ recovery process: “Starc is here. He wants to play tomorrow but he will hopefully be available later on in the series. Same for Maxwell.”

India will host Australia for three ODIs, at Mohali on September 22, at Indore on September 24, and at Rajkot on September 27. These will be the last matches for both teams ahead of the World Cup warm-up matches.

Related tags:

International CricketSeries Editorial