Australia Suffer Injury Blow Ahead of India ODI Series

Australia have suffered a double setback ahead of the ODI series against India, with Ellyse Perry and Kim Garth ruled out of the three match contest.

Cricket Australia confirmed that both players sustained quad strains during the third T20I against India. India won the match by 17 runs to take a 2-1 lead in the T20I series of the ongoing tour.

Megan Schutt and Lucy Hamilton have been named as cover. Schutt has been included in the playing XI for the first ODI, which is being held in Brisbane at Allan Border Field.

Team management has not ruled out Perry or Garth for the one off Test scheduled in Perth from March 6. Their rehabilitation will be monitored during the ODI series, with the remaining two matches set to be played in Hobart later this week.

Garth claimed three wickets in the T20I series, including two in Australia’s win in Canberra. Perry scored 20 in the series opener, added seven in Canberra and was dismissed for a low score in Adelaide.

The series also marks a transition phase for Australia, with Sophie Molineux set to assume captaincy duties amid Alyssa Healy’s farewell international series.

Australia need to win at least two of the three ODIs to secure an outright series win as they aim to conclude the Healy era on a positive note.