On Monday, the Australian team decided to replace injured pacer, Sean Abbott with the explosive opening all-rounder D’Arcy Short in their ODI squad for the upcoming tour of India. The ODI series is scheduled to commence on January 14 in Mumbai. The second and third ODIs will be held in Rajkot and Bengaluru on January 14 and January 19, respectively.

Short has been included in the squad after a side strain during a Big Bash League game ruled out Abbott for almost a month. With fast bowlers Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Kane Richardson already in Australia’s ODI squad, selectors have called in Short, a top-order batsman, who can bowl some decent wrist-spin overs. 

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Talking about the replacement, selector, Trevor Hohns said, “It is extremely unfortunate for Sean, who is very much a part of our white-ball squad plans leading into the ICC T20 World Cup and the World Cup. D’Arcy offers the squad another spinning all-rounder option along with Ashton Agar, which, along with the four world-class fast bowlers and Adam Zampa, balances the squad out nicely. His proven record and ability to bat anywhere in the order will also be a great asset to the squad.”

Short has played four ODIs for Australia, in which he had scored 83 runs at an average of 26.66. Unless there’s an injury, he will likely bat in the middle order given Warner and Finch are going to open. The last time Australia toured India for an ODI series was before the 2019 World Cup when they shocked the hosts 3-2 despite being 0-2 down in the series.

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David Warner and Steve Smith will also be touring India for the first time with the Australian team since the ball-tampering scandal, both expectedly figuring in the squad. Cricket Australia banned them for 12 months for their involvement in the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa.

Australia ODI squad: Aaron Finch (capt), D’Arcy Short, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, Kane Richardson, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Ashton Turner, David Warner, Adam Zampa.