In a dramatic twist just hours before the first ODI at Allan Border Field in Brisbane on February 24, Australia has been rocked by injuries to star all-rounder Ellyse Perry and quick Kim Garth, both ruled out of the three-match series against World Cup champions India due to quad strains suffered during the T20I series.
Megan Schutt and uncapped teenager Lucy Hamilton step in as replacements, injecting fresh energy into an Australian side eager to challenge Harmanpreet Kaur’s triumphant Indians in their first ODI outing since clinching the maiden ICC Women’s ODI World Cup title, their first senior-level title under skipper Harmanpreet Kaur under the guidance of head coach Amol Muzumdar. India is leading Australia 4-2 in the ongoing multi-format series down under, after clinching their 1st T20I series (2-1) in Australia since January 2016.
Perry and Garth now face a tense race against time to prove their fitness for the one-off Test in Perth starting March 6. “Their availability for the Test match will be further assessed at the end of the ODI series, pending on how they progress with rehab,” Cricket Australia stated, underscoring the all-rounder’s value after her pivotal role in recent campaigns.
Garth, the pace spearhead, adds firepower concerns, leaving Australia to recalibrate against an Indian team riding high on confidence after the T20I series triumph. Alongside her comes 19-year-old left-arm quick Lucy Hamilton, uncapped internationally but battle-tested with four WBBL seasons for Brisbane Heat and two recent outings for Delhi Capitals in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), called up into the ODI squad.
The reshuffle sees Georgia Voll, fresh off her explosive 88 in Australia’s lone T20I win, slot in at No.3 in place of Perry, while leg-spinner Alana King and veteran all-rounder Tahlia McGrath earn a spot in the XI after T20I snubs.
Captain Alyssa Healy, embarking on her emotional farewell tour that peaks at the WACA Test, reclaims the top order but hands wicketkeeping duties to Beth Mooney as she takes over as a full-time keeper behind the stumps. Vice-captain Sophie Molineux, still recovering from a 2-1 T20I loss in her captaincy bow, shoulders added leadership weight.
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