PAK vs AUS: Matt Renshaw Joins Australia's White-Ball Squad In Pakistan As Batting Cover

Australian batter Matt Renshaw has joined the Australian squad as the batting cover for the Pakistan ODI series after the Australian camp was massively hit with either injuries or COVID-19 positive cases.

On Monday, Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh was ruled out of the first ODI in Lahore after the player suffered a hip flexor injury during a training session. According to reports, scans showed that the injury was a low-grade hip flexor strain.

PAK vs AUS: Matt Renshaw joins Australia’s white-ball squad in Pakistan as batting cover

Star batter Steve Smith, who participated in the three-match Test series, was ruled out of the ODI series due to an elbow injury. Australian wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis returned positive for a COVID-19 test and hence couldn’t participate in the first ODI.

Queensland player Renshaw, who has played 11 Test matches for Australia, was flown into Lahore on Monday as extra batting cover but won’t be available to play the first ODI as the left-handed batter will have to complete the isolation period of three days before joining the squad.

PAK vs AUS: Ashton Agar ruled out of Pakistan ODI series

Apart from Inglis, Australia all-rounder Ashton Agar became the second player to test positive 24 hours later Inglis contracted the virus. Australian team physiotherapist Brendan Wilson also returned positive for the contagious virus.

Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed on Tuesday morning in Pakistan that Agar had tested positive and was completely ruled out of the ODI matches.

Australia’s frontline bowlers Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood along with other white-ball regulars like David Warner and Glenn Maxwell won’t be available for the ODI series. Apart from Starc, the four players will head to India to join their IPL teams.

The three-match ODI series, which begins on Tuesday, will be entirely held at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Australia Squad for ODI series against Pakistan: Aaron Finch (c), Sean Abbott, Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey (wk), Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh (officially ruled out of 1st ODI), Ben McDermott, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Adam Zampa

Also Read: PAK vs AUS: Mitchell Marsh’s IPL 2022 Campaign Doubtful After Suffering An Injury- Reports