Marnus Labuschagne has been included in the Australia squad for the India ODIs after the all-rounder Cameron Green sustained a side soreness.
The injury has been diagnosed as ‘low grade’, due to which Cricket Australia has taken precautionary steps to give importance to Australia’s Ashes plans.
He will be sitting out for the upcoming ODIs against India on October 19, 23 and 25, but is expected to feature in Western Australia’s next Sheffield Shield game that begins on October 28.
The all-rounder made his competitive bowling return in last week’s Shield game for the first time since his back surgery last year, and took a wicket in a four-over spell.
“Green will complete a short period of rehabilitation and is tracking to return to play in round three of the Sheffield Shield to continue his preparation for the Ashes,” said CA in this morning.
Cameron Green had played in the opening shield round for West Australia against New South Wales last week but bowled only four of the scheduled eight overs, taking a wicket, after Cricket Australia medical staff restricted him for bowling on consecutive days.
This was due to Western Australia being unable to bat long enough in their first innings to allow for a full day’s rest between spells.
Marnus Labuschagne will be retuning to ODI setup after his impressive form in the domestic side Queensland in the 50 over format where he smashed two centuries.
He will be fly from Adelaide after the match to join Australia’s squad in Perth ahead of the first ODI on sunday.
On the other hand, Australia now have made three of them for the series opener against India – with Josh Phillippe replacing Josh Inglis, whose recovery from a calf strain continues, while Adam Zampa is set to miss out on the opener in Perth due to family reasons.
Australia’s squad for India ODIs: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw, Matthew Short, Mitchell Starc.
