The Australian cricket selectors have today announced the fifteen-man squad for the three-ODI series commencing on October 19 against India, and the fourteen-man squad for the first two T20s as Mitch Marsh’s side progress in their build-up to next year’s T20 World Cup.
Starc, having announced his retirement from T20 internationals last month, took no part in the Top End series against South Africa in August, coming back from the West Indies Test tour where his workloads were going to be carefully managed ahead of the Ashes.
Along with Renshaw, who returned to the squad after selection since April in the Proteas series, left-arm paceman Starc is one of four from the 2-1 series defeat to the Proteas named in this 50-over side.
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Australia Announces 15-Member Squad
Australia ODI Squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Renshaw, Matthew Short, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa
Ins: Mitchell Owen, Matthew Renshaw, Matthew Short, Mitchell Starc. Outs: Aaron Hardie, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne
Australia T20I squad (first two games): Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
Ins: Nathan Ellis, Josh Inglis. Outs: Alex Carey, Josh Philippe
Both Owen and Short had been initially selected for the South Africa series before the Tasmanian was concussed in the ensuing T20 series while Victorian allrounder Short failed to recover in time from a cartilage fracture in his rib.
The duo regained Aussie colours during last week’s 2-0 T20 series triumph over New Zealand.
Owen and Renshaw are considered likely candidates to make their ODI debuts against India having shined brightly in 50-over domestic cricket.
Left-handed Renshaw had previously been drafted into the ODI squad in Pakistan in 2022 but only as cover. He has yet to make his debut.
He had 305 one-day runs at 50 for Queensland last season and dominated for Australia A in July with knocks of 80, 106, and 62 against Sri Lanka A, while Owen smashed a 48-ball century against South Australia last February following his breakout Big Bash campaign that thrust him into national spotlight.
The pair may take on diametrically opposed roles in the middle order as Australia’s ODI team begin something of a rebuilding exercise ahead of the 2027 World Cup following the recent retirements of Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis.
Renshaw is expected to play a more accumulative role akin to Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, with the latter having failed to make the squad to face India after scores of one and one in his two innings against the Proteas, whereas Owen might assume the role as an explosive power hitter in the middle order currently vacated by Maxwell and Stoinis.
There could be a similar chance for Short, assuming Australia continue with Marsh and Travis Head as their one-day opens, while Cameron Green recorded the second-fastest men’s ODI century (47 balls) in Australia’s third match against South Africa.
The ODI team will again be under Marsh’s captaincy, with Pat Cummins recovering from lumbar bone stress ahead of the Ashes.
Alex Carey will, however, miss the first ODI in Perth on the 15th of October to play in South Australia’s Sheffield Shield match against Queensland at Adelaide Oval, having missed the Shield title-holder’s opening round game on account of his call-up for the T20 series against the Black Caps.
Carey will miss out on the squad for the T20 series against India, with white-ball gloveman Josh Inglis back from a calf strain, and Nathan Ellis also making his return following the birth of his first child.
Maxwell is set to remain out for the T20 series after undergoing surgery last week on a fractured wrist following an accident in training in the lead-up to the NZ series.
The all-rounder has a review with his surgeon scheduled for next week and, barring setbacks, is expected to be fit for the Melbourne Stars BBL15 campaign.
But Green has not been selected for the T20 squad and will continue his preparation for the first Test against England on November 21 with his state side after the ODI series.
The 26-year-old had his first bowling outing in a competitive game last year after undergoing back surgery, during WA’s ongoing round one Shield clash with NSW, claiming a wicket off his second delivery in 1-13 from four overs.
“We have named a squad for the first two games of the T20 series as there will be some management through the back end of the series as individuals prepare for the summer through Sheffield Shield cricket,” said selection chair George Bailey.
“The majority of the T20 squad will remain together as it’s an important period in the build towards the World Cup next year, however we are trying to strike a balance to ensure we simultaneously prepare certain individuals for the Test series ahead.”
The white-ball tour of India commences on October 19 with the first 50-over match at Perth, after which there will be two other ODIs at Adelaide and Sydney.
The five-match T20 series will commence at Canberra on October 29, with the first two T20s at Manuka Oval and MCG having already been sold out to the public, while fewer than 5,000 tickets remain for the fifth T20 at Gabba.
