ICC World Cup 2023: Aaron Hardie To Stay As Cover For Australia In India ODIs

Australian all-rounder Aaron Hardie will stay as cover for the upcoming series against India away from home. The Aussies lost to South Africa 3-2 heading into the ODI series against India.

The five-match ODI series was a high-scoring encounter between the two sides. Australia were leading 2-0 and lost the last three games to lose the series. They lost the last three games with over 100-run margins.

They lost the final ODI by 122 runs as they failed to chase 316 for victory. They were bowled out for 193 in the process and lost the game and the series. Now, Aaron Hardie who was part of the ODI squad of Australia will stay back as cover. He will travel with the rest of the squad as cover for Sean Abbott and Nathan Ellis, both of whom picked up niggling injuries during the team’s tour of South Africa, Cricket Australia (CA) said on Monday.

Opener Travis Head’s hopes of playing in the World Cup took a serious blow after he fractured his hand in South Africa, which prompted the team management to call up an extra batter in Matthew Short. Abbott meanwhile split the webbing between his fingers and Ellis sustained a groin strain in South Africa.

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Australia have named their squad for the ODI series against India with Pat Cummins and Steve Smith returning to the side. Both missed the South Africa series with injury concerns and were advised to rest.

Australia Squad For India Series

Pat Cummins (C), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa.

Also Read: Glenn Maxwell Expresses Desire To Continue Playing For Australia Beyond World Cup