Australians Josh Inglis and Adam Zampa ruled out 1st ODI against India in Perth; replacements announced
The Australian cricket team faces early selection challenges before the first international day against India in Perth this Sunday, with key players ruled out. Wicketkeeper Josh Inglis remains sidelined as he recovers from a lingering calf strain, while star leg-spinner Adam Zampa will miss the opening to be with her family for the impending birth of her second child. These absences, aggravated by Alex Carey‘s temporary release for a domestic match necessitated a late wave of substitutions and squad adjustments.
AUS vs IND, Perth ODI: Josh Inglis replacement and wicketkeeper carousel
The injury to Inglis, who has not fully recovered from the calf strain he suffered on September 19, means he will miss the opening ODI match, with his hopeful return scheduled for the third ODI in Sydney on October 25. His absence, combined with the planned release of senior wicketkeeper Carey, forced a significant reshuffle behind the stumps for the match in Perth. Carey was released from the ODI squad to play in South Australia’s Sheffield Shield second round match against Queensland as part of their preparation for the Ashes, although he will rejoin the ODI squad for the second match in Adelaide.
To fill this gap, Josh Philippe has been called up from New South Wales and is expected to take the gloves in Perth, marking his first one-day international appearance since 2021 during the West Indies tour. Philippe had recently joined the T20 team in New Zealand in replacement of Glenn Maxwellhighlighting his willingness and availability to enter the white ball setup. Despite being named in the squad, Carey, who is usually a first-choice ODI specialist hitter, will remain in Adelaide for his domestic commitments, further highlighting the need for Philippe’s inclusion for the first match. Inglis’ calf injury is now just over four weeks old, and his fitness remains a question mark even for the third game, indicating a cautious approach to his recovery.
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AUS vs IND, Perth ODI: absence of Adam Zampa and opportunity for a left-arm spinner
Zampa will miss the first ODI in Perth due to family reasons, as he chose to stay in northern NSW with his wife, Harrietwho is at the end of her pregnancy with her second child, and the due date is fast approaching. Given that it is geographically difficult to return quickly from Perth in an emergency, Zampa decided it was best to miss the opening match to be close to home. The leg-spinner is expected to join the team in Adelaide ahead of the second ODI on October 23, and he will likely play the remaining matches in Adelaide and Sydney as the return from those cities is much quicker and easier.
His replacement for the Perth match is the left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemannwho was added to the ODI squad. Kuhnemann now looks set to play his first ODI since 2022 and his first on Australian soil, providing an important spinning option alongside all-rounders. Matt Court And Cooper Connolly. Despite only playing once on last year’s tours, in a T20 against the West Indies, Kuhnemann has toured regularly with Australia’s white-ball teams throughout recent winter matches. His recent domestic form for Tasmania has been promising, including a performance of 2/51 in a one-day match last Thursday and a stunning half-century with the bat. Kuhnemann’s long stint with the team gives him a well-deserved opportunity to impress.
Australia updated their squad for ODI series against India
Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey (week), Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (week), Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe (week), Matt Renshaw, Matthew Short, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa
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