Australia loses three key players to injury, to miss India tour
Melbourne (Australia), September 14: Australia has been forced to make three changes for a short T20 tour of India as selectors shift to a cautious stance ahead of the T20 World Cup title defence next month.
Mitch Starc (knee), Mitch Marsh (ankle), and Marcus Stoinis (side) have all been ruled out of the tour, with Nathan Ellis, Daniel Sams, and Sean Abbott replacing them. David Warner had already been given a break and was so unavailable.
The three injuries are minor, but Australia has taken a cautious approach ahead of the T20 World Cup, which begins on October 22 against New Zealand at the Sydney Cricket Ground, as the India tour entails three games in three different locations in India.
Marsh and Stoinis were injured during Australia's ODI series against Zimbabwe and New Zealand in north Queensland, but Starc was forced to withdraw from the tour after a knee scan today in Sydney.
Warner, Marsh, Starc, and Stoinis are all expected to be available for Australia's next home T20 series against the West Indies and England.
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Due to Stoinis' absence, Tim David will most likely make his Australian debut as a middle-order finisher on the India tour, and he will have the potential to make it difficult for Stoinis to reclaim his spot in the lineup.
With all-rounder Cameron Green joining the side in Marsh's absence, Steve Smith may return to No. 3, while Josh Inglis is expected to partner Aaron Finch at the top of the order, with Warner resting for the trip.
Australia's chances of becoming the first men's team to win back-to-back T20 World Cups are heavily reliant on Marsh.
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-PTC News
