When does it start?
Australia's preparations for the 50-over World Cup in India beginning next month continue in India, where they face the subcontinent powerhouse fresh off a thumping Asia Cup triumph last Sunday. The two sides will play three one-day internationals across three cities in northwest India beginning on Friday at 6pm AEST in what serves as ideal preparation for their World Cup opener, also against India, in Chennai on October 8. Schedule
2023 Qantas Tour of India
September 22: First ODI, Mohali (D/N), 6pm AEST
September 24: Second ODI, Indore (D/N), 6pm AEST
September 27: Third ODI, Rajkot (D/N), 6pm AEST Is the Australian team at full strength? While several big guns return for the three-match series, Australia have picked up more injury concerns following a taxing final three ODI in their series loss to the Proteas. Steve Smith and Mitchell have joined the squad in Mohali after skipping South Africa to recover from wrist and injuries, respectively, while captain Pat Cummins is expected to play a part across the three 50-over matches after watching from the sidelines in South Africa. Glenn Maxwell is also due to link up with the squad throughout the series following an aggravation of his left ankle in South Africa before returning home for the birth of his first child.
But in the final three ODI against South Africa, Travis Head (fractured left hand), Sean Abbott (split webbing), and Nathan Ellis (adductor strain) all sustained new injuries. Head's participation in the World Cup, which starts in 14 days, is now seriously questioned. As insurance against Australia's growing injury list, Marnus Labuschagne, Spencer Johnson, Matt Short, and Aaron —who are not included in the preliminary 15-player World Cup squad—have been chosen for the India series. Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazelwood, Josh, Spencer Johnson, Marnus, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sang ha, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell, Marcus, David Warner, Adam. What About India? Four of India's top players, including their skipper Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Hardik, and Kuldeep, will sit out the team's opening two matches in Mohali and Indore. In Rohit's absence, KL Rahul will captain the team, and Ravichandran Ashwin and Washington have been added to the lineup. Patel, who missed the Asia Cup final owing to a quadriceps strain, will join the quartet for the third game in Rajkot. India has already played six one-day internationals (ODI) this month and defeated Sri Lanka for 50 last Sunday to win the Asia Cup final in Colombo. India squad for first two ODI: KL Rahul (c), Ravindra, Ruturaj, Shubman, Shreyas, Suryakumar, Tilak, Ishan, Shardul, Washington, R Ashwin, Jasprit, Mohammed, Prasidh. It's pretty good for Aussie fans. India is currently four and a half hours behind Australia's east coast, meaning the first ball of each match will be bowled in the prime-time slot of 6pm. In Perth, it's even better with the match to begin at 4pm, meaning you should be able to catch the finish before midnight. THANKS FOR READING 🙂
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