Australia’s national cricket team will open the India ODI series without two key players who are both sidelined by injury. Fast bowler Matt Zampa is out after a new hamstring strain, and all‑rounder Harry Inglis has to sit out with a shoulder problem. The pair’s absence forces the Australian selectors to shuffle the squad and bring fresh talent into the frontline.
India will host the opening ODI in Hyderabad this week. The Australian side has already named a 20‑man group, including a few debutants, to fill the gaps left by Zampa and Inglis. “We’re looking for a smooth transition,” said coach Ricky Ponting. “It’s a big series for us. We have to work with what we have and give the new players a chance to prove themselves.”
Pakistan and England have often been mentioned as possible options for the fill‑in slots, but the Coaches Group decided on a mix of experienced and young bowlers. Brad Henderson and Nathan Leary were called up as extra spinners, while Tigers quicks like Dara Smith and Sam Wilson will provide pace options.
India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, welcomed the change as an opportunity to test new skills. “We’ll face some fast bowlers, but we’ll have to adapt to the Australian attack as usual,” Sharma said during a post‑match interview. “It’s a friendly way for us to pick up the game.”
The series will run for three matches, with the first ODI scheduled for Saturday at 1 pm IST. If Australia can handle the temporary void, they might catch up on the series. India will see if the new gel shed taking natural advantage of the warm, humid pitch conditions, which tend to support spin.
The key to a smooth opening for Australia is fitness and selection. As GM of the Australian Board of Cricket said, “We’re hoping to improve bat‑ball balance” after losing Inglis and Zampa from the 11-man lineup. The Australian fans will watch closely as the replacement players step onto the field, hoping for a contest that liven up the ODI series.
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