What could be called a big problem: Australia’s squad is depleted ahead of the third and final ODI against India in Rajkot on September 27, 2023, with pacer Spencer Johnson and Nathan Ellis will be returning home due to injury.
Australia have lost five consecutive ODIs, losing three matches in their recent tour to South Africa and the first two matches of the ongoing three-match ODI series in India. In the match against Mohali, they were overwhelmed by the Indian batsmen who were on target thanks to some brilliant openers from Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shubman Gill.
In the second ODI in Indore, India scored 399/5, the highest ODI score against the Kangaroos, with Australia’s bowlers dominating every corner of the Holkar Stadium. Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill scored centuries while KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav hit his fifty in no time.
However, Australia suffered a double injury ahead of the third ODI to be played at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot on Wednesday. Spencer Johnson, who recently made his debut for Australia and played in his first ODI in Mohali, sustained a hamstring injury. To add insult to injury, another pacer, Nathan Ellis, also injured his groin.
Both players were not included in Australia’s squad for the 2023 World Cup and were sent back to Australia to recover.
Mitchell Starc And Glenn Maxwell Set To Return For Third ODI Against India
Meanwhile, there was good news for the Australian team as Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell are set to return to the national team. Starc injured his shoulder and was forced to miss the tour of South Africa. He played net bowling for India but did not take part in his first two ODIs.
However, he is now reportedly fully fit and is expected to play in the third ODI, Australia’s last bilateral match before the World Cup begins on October 5.
Meanwhile, Glenn Maxwell is also reportedly recovering well and will play in the third ODI. Maxwell was unable to participate in the tour to South Africa due to the birth of his first child. However, he missed his first two ODIs as he was suffering from ankle pain due to a broken foot he sustained last year.
