In contemporary cricket, any team playing an ODI after nearly four months is anticipated to make a number of changes to its Starting XI. Australia is not an exception, as they were forced to make four changes for the currently taking place first ODI match against India in Mumbai.
Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is one of four players who played the third ODI against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in November 2022 but isn’t playing today owing to an injury and was not included in their 15-member team for this series.
Since the demise of their mother Maria Cummins last week, regular Australia skipper Pat Cummins has been at home with his family. Australia is being captained by Steven Smith, who previously led them in the third and fourth Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023 Test matches, for the first time in this format in the previous five years.
Has David Warner’s Retirement Been Announced?
Both opening batsman David Warner and wicket-keeper batsman Alex Carey, who are both now on the team, were supposed to play on Friday but didn’t.
Alex Carey has returned to his hotel because he is ill. Josh Inglis will therefore arrive today. David Warner isn’t physically ready yet. As a result, Smith informed the host broadcaster Star Sports Network at the toss that Mitch [Mitchell] Marsh would start the batting.
Due to an elbow fracture, Warner, 35, had to return home after the second Test but, providing he regains his best form, he might play in the following games. Warner continues to play cricket and hasn’t yet declared his retirement from any format, despite occasional clues on social media. At the Wankhede Stadium, Warner is seen among the Australian cricket reserves, in contrast to Carey.
Marsh is opening the batting for the first time in international cricket, having not played an international match since the aforementioned ODI in Melbourne. The visiting team management decided to move Marsh up in the batting order despite the fact that Labuschagne, who is scheduled to play at No. 4, has already opened the batting in an ODI match.
