Stoinis & Agar ruled out of the ODI series: Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka has been plagued by injuries with two more players being added to the list. Marcus Stoinis and Ashton Agar have both injuries sustained in the first ODI in Pallekele. Agar might make a comeback but it is confirmed that Stoinis is ruled out of the rest of the series.
Travis Head and Matthew Kuhnemann, an uncapped left-arm spinner, have been called up from ongoing Australia A four-day match in Hambantota ahead of the second One-Day International in Pallekele on Thursday.
In the early phases of the tour, Australia has accumulated a growing list of injuries. Mitchell Starc is still healing from a badly cut finger sustained in the first T20I, while Mitchell Marsh (calf) who sustained a calf injury remains out.
Kane Richardson, who had been added to the ODI team as cover, was ruled out of the series owing to the hamstring strain he suffered in the final T20I. While allrounder Sean Abbott also broke his finger early in the tour and was dropped from the side. For at least the first two ODIs, Cameron Green will also not be regarded as a bowling option while he ramps up his workload.
Kuhnemann might be moved to join Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Swepson in the Test squad if Agar is ruled out. Ashton will remain with the tour for the time being. There’s still a chance that Australia considers three frontline spinners for the Galle matches.
While the ODI series is seen as useful preparation for next year’s World Cup, it does not carry any Super League qualifying points
While the ODI series is seen as useful preparation for next year’s World Cup, it does not carry any Super League qualifying points. Australia is concerned about overworking the Test quicks during the one-day series, which will feature five matches in 11 days, but resources are already stretched thin.
With the relaxation of most Covid restrictions, making it easier to bring players in and out, Australia has at least been able to make use of the presence of the A squad which is already playing in the country, at the same time. Scott Boland had earlier been added to the main squad in order to bolster the ODI team.
As the one-day series progresses, national selectors will assess the need for additional additions before the Tests. We will hope the team recovers fast and players are ready to be back on the field.
