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Australia Plagued By Illness; A Second String Team Is Set To Face England In The 1st ODI: Reports

Starc, Hazlewood and Maxwell (X)Starc, Hazlewood and Maxwell (X)

After The T20I series, England is all set to lock horns against Australia in a five-match ODI series, the first match will be played on September 19 at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. Ahead of the much-awaited series, the Australian cricket team is going through a difficult time and faced a major blow as a few of their star players will likely miss the first ODI due to illness. 

Starc, Hazlewood Down With Illness Ahead Of First ODI 

Among the notable names, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are doubtful for the first ODI. According to the reports of WAtoday, Starc and Hazlewood are among the players struck down by the same illness that kept the skipper Mitchell Marsh out of the second T20 last week.

Glenn Maxwell is also under the weather and the trio are in some doubt of lining up in the opening match at Trent Bridge, which could leave the bowling stocks severely depleted. 

Australia will likely play with the front-liners Sean Abbott and late-call up Ben Dwarshius and potentially all-rounders Aaron Hardie and Cameron Green will carry the bowling loads with spinner Adam Zampa who is set to play his 100th ODI.

Adding to the problems of Australia, several players are facing injury concerns and are carrying niggles. Josh Inglis and Jake Fraser-McGurk, who looked poppy after slipping over in the field in Cardiff are likely to miss the match and remain doubtful. 

If Inglis is not available then Alex Carey is expected to play his first white-ball game for Australia since he was dropped earlier during the victorious 2023 World Cup campaign. It is important to mention that Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne are set to return to Australian colours after their winter breaks. 

Harry Brook To Lead England

On the other side, England's regular captain Jos Butler has been sidelined due to injury and Harry Brook will take over the leadership role as Australia aims to continue their impressive streak of 12 consecutive ODI victories. Another significant comeback for England in this series will be Jofra Archer will return to 50-over cricket after a lengthy 18-month hiatus due to various injuries.