Brisbane, Australia – A series of quad strains has thrown a wrench into Australia’s plans for the One Day International (ODI) series against India, with key players Ellyse Perry and Kim Garth ruled out of all three matches. The injuries, sustained during Saturday’s T20 loss to the world champions, necessitate changes to the Australian squad as they prepare for today’s opening ODI at Allan Border Field.
Fast bowlers Megan Schutt and Lucy Hamilton have been called up to fill the void left by Perry and Garth. Schutt was immediately included in the starting XI for the first ODI, making an impactful debut by dismissing Indian opener Pratika Rawal with the second ball of the match. Hamilton, a 19-year-old left-arm quick, has been drafted into the squad, bringing with her experience from four seasons with Brisbane Heat in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) and two matches for Delhi Capitals in the recent Women’s Premier League (WPL).
The availability of both Perry and Garth for the upcoming one-off Test match in Perth, scheduled to begin on March 6th, remains uncertain. Cricket Australia released a statement indicating that their progress will be closely monitored throughout the ODI series, with a final assessment to be made based on their rehabilitation. “Their availability for Test match will be further assessed at the end of the ODI series pending on how they progress with rehab,” the statement read.
The Australian lineup has seen further adjustments in the wake of the injuries. Georgia Voll, who impressed with a score of 88 in Australia’s sole victory of the T20 series, will replace Perry at number three in the batting order. Legspinner Alana King and veteran allrounder Tahlia McGrath have also been included in the squad, having been previously overlooked for the T20I series.
Captain Alyssa Healy returns to the top of the order, marking the beginning of her farewell tour which will culminate in the Test match at the WACA. However, Healy will not be taking on wicketkeeping duties, with Beth Mooney assuming the role of full-time wicketkeeper for the series.
Sophie Molineux, who experienced a challenging initiation as captain with a 2-1 defeat in the T20Is, will continue as Australia’s vice-captain throughout the ODI series.
The teams lined up as follows for the opening ODI:
Australia: Alyssa Healy (capt), Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Voll, Beth Mooney (wk), Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Alana King, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown.
India: Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Shafali Verma, Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Kashvee Gautam, Sree Charani, Kranti Gaud, Renuka Singh.
India won the toss and elected to bat, setting the stage for a competitive series opener. The loss of Perry and Garth represents a significant setback for Australia, particularly given the form both players have demonstrated in recent matches. Perry, a mainstay of the Australian batting and bowling lineups, brings both experience and versatility to the team. Garth’s absence further weakens the Australian pace attack, placing increased responsibility on Schutt and Brown.
The series against India is a crucial one for Australia, not only in terms of maintaining their competitive edge but also as preparation for the upcoming Test match. The Test match holds particular significance as it marks a farewell appearance for captain Alyssa Healy, adding an emotional layer to the contest. The outcome of the ODI series, and the recovery of key players like Perry and Garth, will undoubtedly shape the team’s approach and expectations heading into the Perth Test.
The inclusion of Lucy Hamilton provides an opportunity for a young player to make her mark on the international stage. Her experience in both the WBBL and WPL suggests she possesses the skills and temperament to succeed at this level. Similarly, the return of Alana King and Tahlia McGrath adds depth and experience to the Australian squad, providing captain Healy with more options in both batting and bowling.
The series also presents a challenge for India, who are looking to build on their recent T20 series victory. With a strong batting lineup led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana, India will be confident of challenging Australia on their home soil. The performance of their bowling attack, particularly Renuka Singh and Kashvee Gautam, will be crucial to their success.
The first ODI promises to be a closely contested affair, with both teams eager to gain an early advantage in the series. The absence of Perry and Garth will undoubtedly test Australia’s depth and resilience, while India will look to capitalize on the opportunity to exploit their opponent’s vulnerabilities.
