The Australia cricket team has suffered another major setback ahead of the five-match One Day International series against Sri Lanka starting June 14 with veteran pacer Kane Richardson ruled out of the entire series due to a hamstring injury.
Richardson suffered the injury during practice ahead of Australia’s T20I loss to Sri Lanka in the third game on Saturday, and scans have revealed the extent of the injury.
Although the Tourists won the series 2-1, led by white-ball captain Aaron Finch, it came at a great cost as three top players were injured, with Richardson also now on the list.
Australia, who have already been eliminated for the first ODI in Kandy, lack bowling options.
Right-arm pacer Richardson will head back to Australia and skipper Finch said the veteran is expected to be out for six weeks. Australia are already missing fellow pacer Mitchell Starc (finger injury) and experienced all-rounder Mitch Marsh (calf injury).
This means Test captain Pat Cummins has been taken back into Australia’s XI for the opening match of the ODI series, with fellow pacers Josh Hazlewood and Jhye Richardson for the rest of the seam attack.
With Adam Zampa in Australia for the birth of his first child, left-arm spinner Ashton Agar gets his first chance to impress fellow spinner Mitchell Swepson.
Australia XI: Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey, Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Jhye Richardson, Josh Hazlewood.
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