Prominent Australian stars who might not get to play a single match vs India in ODI series

Aussies who might not play vs India [Source: AFP Photo]

On Tuesday, Cricket Australia revealed the Australian squad for the upcoming white-ball series against the visiting Indian team. A strong team was announced as the home side will aim to test their skills against arguably the best white-ball team at the moment. The Kangaroos have made quite a few surprising changes in the squad for the India tour.

The selectors handpicked a strong team, and hence, there would be certain players who might not get a single game in the ODI series. Here are 3 such Aussie stars who might warm the bench for the entire India tour.

1) Nathan Ellis

With Mitch Starc, Josh Hazlewood likely to be the first-choice pacers in the playing XI, and with Xavier Bartlett having an excellent ODI star, Nathan Ellis’ place in the playing XI looks uncertain. Against a strong Indian side, Australia won’t risk fielding an inexperienced attack, and both Hazlewood and Starc will have a go at the Indian batters. That leaves a place for the third pacer between Bartlett and Ellis.

(Ellis vs Bartlett in ODIs)

• As the data reveals, while Xavier Bartlett has made a name for himself in a short span of time, Ellis has struggled to take wickets in ODI cricket.
• Bartlett has 12 wickets in just four ODI matches, with an average of 10, while Ellis has 17 wickets in 15 games, but the average shoots up to 40.58, showcasing his inability to adjust from T20Is to ODIs.

As a result, there is a good chance that Ellis might sit on the bench for the entire ODI series, unless a pacer gets injured.

2) Cooper Connolly

With Mitch Marsh and Cameron Green already in the side, perhaps Australia does not need a third all-rounder in the playing XI. Green is back to his best and can easily chip in with 4-5 overs. Similarly, if needed, Marsh can also bowl, and hence, Australia should rather go in with a proper batter in the side. Moreover, his overall record as a pure batter is average in the ODIs.

(Connolly stats in ODIs)

• An average of 5 in ODIs, with just 10 runs scored, defines his ODI journey so far. Hence, it would be better to have a solid batter in the middle order, rather than an untested all-rounder.

3) Matt Short

Matt Short is known for his exploits in the T20 format, but he hasn’t lit up the ODI stage despite playing 15 matches. With Matt Renshaw returning, Australia might be tempted to play a left-handed batter in the middle order, and hence, Short might not get a place in the XI.

Mitch Marsh is likely to open with Travis Head, and with Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Renshaw and Josh Inglis in the lineup, Short could warm the bench for the entire series.

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