Shock blow for Australia! Key stars ruled out before series start against India

Australia have been dealt a double blow ahead of the ODI series opener against India, with wicket-keeper Josh Inglis ruled out due to a calf injury and spinner Adam Zampa unavailable for family reasons.

Inglis, who sustained the calf strain during a training run in Perth, misses out on the first ODI. Josh Philippe has been called up as his replacement, marking his first ODI appearance since facing the West Indies in 2021. Spinner Matthew Kuhnemann has also been added to the squad to bolster Australia’s options.


Alex Carey, meanwhile, is set to miss the opening match as he participates in South Australia’s Sheffield Shield clash against Queensland, part of his preparations for the upcoming Ashes series. He is expected to rejoin the ODI squad ahead of the second match.

Zampa’s absence is due to paternity reasons, with his wife Harriet nearing the birth of their second child. Cricket Australia remain hopeful that Inglis will recover in time for the third ODI in Sydney on October 25. Zampa is expected to be available for the Adelaide ODI.

Kuhnemann is in line to play his first ODI since 2022 with Matt Short and Cooper Connolly the other spin options available for the hosts.

Series schedule:

First ODI: October 19, Perth
Second ODI: October 23, Adelaide
Third ODI: October 25, Sydney

First T20I: October 29, Canberra
Second T20I: October 31, Melbourne
Third T20I: November 2, Hobart
Fourth T20I: November 6, Gold Coast
Fifth T20I: November 8, Brisbane

Australia ODI squad vs India

Mitchell Marsh (capt), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey (wk), Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe (wk), Matt Renshaw, Matthew Short, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa

This reshuffle gives Australia a chance to test new faces while managing player workloads ahead of a crucial series against India.