Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are highly doubtful for the first ODI against England. It has been reported that Glenn Maxwell, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc have been affected by an illness ahead of the series opener against England.
Australia skipper Mitchell Marsh was forced to miss the second match of the preceding T20I series due to the same illness. Opening batter Travis Head led the Australian team in Marsh’s absence. The Australian team suffered a loss in that match, and the third match was washed out due to rain.
Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood To Miss First ODI
As per cricket.com.au, Mitchell Starc, Glenn Maxwell, and Josh Hazlewood might not feature in the first ODI match in Nottingham on Thursday, September 19. Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell joined the squad on Sunday after missing the T20 series but fell ill after a strong training session on Tuesday.
Fast bowlers Sean Abbott and Ben Dwarshuis are expected to lead the pace attack in the absence of Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. All-rounders Cameron Green and Aaron Hardie are likely to bowl a few overs. Matt Short is expected to be a like-for-like replacement for Glenn Maxwell in the XI.
Josh Inglis and Jake Fraser-McGurk are also suffering from injuries. Inglis has been unable to bat or keep due to quad soreness. Fraser-McGurk, who is nursing a sore hamstring, had an extended batting session before the first ODI. Alex Carey is likely to return to the ODI team after the World Cup 2023.
We’ll Manage That As Best We Can – Mitchell Marsh
Mitchell Marsh said that managing player workloads will be crucial amid the busy schedule. He emphasized that the team will do its best to field the strongest side and aim to win the series.
“It’s certainly a busy schedule, there will be times where we may have to manage guys through. We’ll manage that as best we can and make sure we’re fielding teams to win this series,” Marsh said at a pre-series press conference.
Mitchell Marsh extended his wishes to Adam Zampa, who is set to play his 100th ODI match for Australia. Marsh said that Zampa is on track to become one of Australia’s greatest ODI players. The skipper highlighted how well Zampa handles the pressure and thrives in big situations.
“We’re still working through that but we’ll have an XI on the park. He’s certainly tracking towards being one of our greatest ever ODI players. I feel very lucky to have him in this team,” Marsh said.
“There’s no hiding behind the fact he’s certainly one of our go-to men with the ball. One of the challenges he’s taken in his stride in the last few years is being that person for us and he certainly thrives off the bigger moments, which all great players do,” he added.
The Australian team had only 11 players available for the second T20 and had to field an attack with just two specialist bowlers, Zampa and Abbott.
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