Australia's buildup to its extensive ODI series with India has taken a significant hit, with a number of key players unavailable for the opening matches. Already facing a quick schedule, the Australians are in a difficult position ahead of their first match in Perth on October 19. With skipper Pat Cummins and all-rounder Cameron Green both ruled out, the Australians will have to go into the first match with a relatively inexperienced team against a full-strength Indian team. The series was always going to be a significant trial before the home summer, but this run of injuries has already raised questions about Australia's squad depth and fitness levels.

Adding further injury to insult, wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis is now unavailable for the first two ODIs, while senior wicketkeeper Alex Carey and important spinner Adam Zampa are also unavailable for the first match. Zampa is a significant loss for the Australians, particularly given India's impressive record against pace at home and abroad. With Carey now unavailable, the Australians will need to recast their wicketkeeping and middle-order combinations, which will place greater pressure on players such as Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne to anchor the innings.

This unforeseen injury situation might result in the Australian management providing opportunities for fringe players and domestic performers. Players in the frame could include the likes of Matthew Short, Ben McDermott, and Aaron Hardie. The objective now will be to keep a balance in the side—a difficult task while playing in India given the need for flexibility and adaptation. 

🚨 AUSTRALIA IN BIG TROUBLE IN ODIs vs INDIA 🚨

- Pat Cummins ruled out.
- Cameron Green ruled out.
- Josh Inglis ruled out of the first 2 ODIs.
- Adam Zampa not available for the 1st ODI.
- Alex Carey not available for the 1st ODI. pic.twitter.com/MrP8KA0CT8

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 17, 2025

Also Read: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2025: OMN vs JPN Dream11 Prediction 20th Match

Selection Headache for Management

With several senior players missing, coach Andrew McDonald and the selectors have a real conundrum approaching the series. Identifying a combination of batting depth, all-rounders, and variety in the bowling attack will be crucial for Australia's competitiveness against a confident Indian side. The management may also decide to rest several more players in order to avoid aggravating injuries, thinking ahead to a busy home season involving Test and T20 series to play. 

Despite the absences, Australia has proven match-winners such as Mitchell Marsh, David Warner, and Josh Hazlewood, but pressure has increased on a combination of the leadership group and the young guns. Fans will be intrigued to see how the battered Australian side copes and responds to adversity against India in a fairly exciting ODI series. 

Marnus Labuschagne has been called into Australia’s squad for the three-match ODI series against India, starting Sunday, after all-rounder Cameron Green was ruled out with side soreness. The selectors didn’t want to risk him ahead of the Ashes starting next month. “Green will have a short rehab and is expected to return in round three of the Sheffield Shield as part of his Ashes preparation,” Cricket Australia said.

Marnus Labuschagne Replaces Injured Cameron Green in IND vs AUS ODI Series

Labuschagne wasn’t in the original squad but earned his place after scoring 159 for Queensland in a Sheffield Shield match on Thursday, his fourth century of the season. This is the third last-minute change for Australia in the first ODI.

🚨 LABUSCHAGNE IS BACK IN ODIs 🚨

- Marnus Labuschagne replaces injured Cameron Green in the ODI series against India. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/42lK15Y1mV

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 17, 2025

Josh Philippe replaces the injured Josh Inglis, and Matthew Kuhnemann comes in for Adam Zampa, who is unavailable for personal reasons. For India, the focus will be on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who are back in action after retiring from Tests and playing only one format now.

ALSO READ: 5-wicket haul for Rajasthan Royals bowler in Ranji Trophy ahead of IPL 2026

Australia Squad for First ODI:
Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw, Matthew Short, Mitchell Starc.

From Second ODI onwards: Adam Zampa, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis.

On the eve of their T20I series against New Zealand, Australia have copped a major blow, with star all-rounder Glenn Maxwell ruled out with a right wrist fracture sustained in a training session in Mount Maunganui. 

The injury happened in the nets when Maxwell was rolling his arm over to Mitchell Owen, who smashed a ball straight back at Maxwell, hitting him flush on the wrist while the 36-year-old was in extreme pain. Maxwell withdrew from training, where he was later ruled out of the three-match series that commences Wednesday at Bay Oval. 

Teammate Matthew Short, who witnessed the incident, said it was a bad hit. “I just saw it out of the corner of my eye. Owen smoked it, then the aftermath was the ball hit maxi on the wrist. It didn’t sound good,” Short told cricket.com.au. “He’s done injuries before, he was disappointed but he’ll be fine.”

Cricket Australia announced that Maxwell will return home and consult a specialist in the next few days. The indication is he may recover in time for the Big Bash League in December, however his availability for the upcoming T20I series against India later this month, is still very much up in the air.

Another injury in an already injury hit period

With Maxwell unavailable, it only adds to Australia’s concerns, after already losing Josh Inglis with a calf injury, leading to Alex Carey being brought back into the fold. Australia also are without Cameron Green, who has turned his attention to Sheffield Shield cricket, ahead of the Ashes. Pat Cummins has been given some time off due to his ongoing lower back complaints, and Nathan Ellis, who is going to miss a couple of games because he stayed at home as his wife was having their first baby.

In recent years, Maxwell has been on the end of some unfortunate injuries, including a freak leg fracture whilst at a birthday party in 2022 and suffering a concussion after falling from a golf cart during the 2023 World Cup, However, he remained an integral part of Australia’s white ball setup, and had only a few weeks ago, contributed in an important role against South Africa.

ALSO SEE: Asia Cup 2025 Trophy Standoff: Mohsin Naqvi Holds Trophy in Dubai Hotel, BCCI Demands Immediate Handover

Philippe earns surprise recall

Selectors have named Josh Philippe, the wicketkeeper-batter for the Sydney Sixers, to replace the absent Maxwell. Philippe has not played for Australia since last December and has earned his recall after performing well on the recent Australia A tour of India, where he scored a century in the unofficial Tests.

While Abbotsford is a backup wicketkeeping option along with Carey, Philippe adds depth to the batting group. His international T20 record is not overly impressive to this point–150 runs in 12 innings at an average of 12.5. This series offers Philippe an outstanding chance to resurrect his T20I career and solidify a place for next year’s T20 World Cup.

Updated Australia squad for NZ T20Is

Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Matt Kuhnemann, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa

Australia players have gained huge rankings in the latest update among the ICC ODI batters. They earned a 2-1 series defeat against South Africa at home, having already lost the first couple of 50-over fixtures. They were rewarded with the latest rankings in the batting department after their huge victory during the final game in McKay.

The home side’s captain, Mitchell Marsh, won the toss and decided to bat first on a firm surface. Centuries from the top three of the national side, Travis Head, Marsh, and Cameron Green, along with the half-century from Alex Carey, pushed them to reach 431/2 in their allotted 50 overs as the Proteas were bundled out for 155 to lose by 276 runs.

See Also: 'Call it Bazball or...'- Former Australia coach gives suggestion to England before Ashes 2025/26

Head gained one place to move to the 11th position, while Marsh jumped four rungs to move to the 44th. On the other hand, Green raises a whopping 40 slots to 78th. Josh Inglis has also improved 23 slots to move to the 64th position as a result of his 87 in the final innings in Mackay against the Rainbow Nation.

Australia stars improve in ICC ODI rankings’ update

India’s opening batting duo, Shubman Gill and captain Rohit Sharma, remain at the top of the rankings for batters, followed by Babar Azam at the third position in the table. In the bowling rankings, Keshav Maharaj has Sri Lanka’s Maheesh Theekshana at the top with 671 points.

ICC Men’s ODI batting rankings

ICC Men’s ODI bowling rankings

The blazing century against South Africa has increased hype around Cameron Green ahead of the mini auction of IPL 2026. After playing IPL 2023 and IPL 2024, the Australian all-rounder missed the previous Indian Premier League edition.

Multiple teams in IPL 2025 lacked an overseas all-rounder department. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the former champion, also face issues from this part of their squad. Andre Russell, the seasoned all-rounder for KKR, is now well over his prime days and took retirement from T20Is at the age of 37. KKR needs to find a proper replacement for the pace bowling all-rounder. Cameron Green can be a like-for-like substitution—a pace bowling all-rounder in place of another pace bowling all-rounder.

Green has so far participated in only two IPL seasons, and those two campaigns were incredible for him in terms of individual stats. In IPL 2023, the Aussie played for the Mumbai Indians and generated a batting average of 50.22 in 16 innings, powered by an unbeaten century. In total, he scored 452 runs for the Mumbai-based team.

Read More: Rohit Sharma vice-captain, Virat Kohli at number 3: Daren Sammy selects Dream T20 11

Why KKR should consider Green in place of Russell?

In the following season, Green moved to Royal Challengers Bengaluru and hit 255 runs in 12 innings; 31.87 was his batting average. He got notable success with the ball too. In total, the emerging all-rounder clinched 16 wickets in 29 IPL matches. KKR should secure the service of Cameron Green because he is only 26 years old, can hit the ball, and can take wickets as well.

Andre Russell has been associated with KKR for over 10 years. He played for other Knight Riders-acquired teams too. His previous IPL season for the Kolkata Knight Riders was not something to brag about. In 10 innings, the West Indian scored 167 runs in total at an average of 18.55. His bowling numbers were also unimpressive. In 9 IPL 2025 innings, the all-rounder claimed 8 wickets but proved costly, as his economy rate was 11.94—the poorest economy rate of his entire IPL career.

Australia produced a record-breaking performance in the third ODI against South Africa, clinching victory by a massive 276-run margin to seal a dominant win. After losing the series 2-1, the Aussies ensured they ended on a high with one of their finest batting displays in recent times. Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Australia’s top order dismantled South Africa’s bowling attack. The Proteas, who had already secured the series, were left helpless against the relentless aggression and precision shown by Australia’s batters.

The innings was set up by Travis Head’s blistering knock of 142 off just 103 balls, studded with 17 boundaries and 5 sixes. His partnership with captain Mitchell Marsh laid the perfect foundation for a massive total. Marsh himself struck a composed 100 off 106 balls, showcasing his ability to anchor and accelerate at will. Their 250-run stand for the first wicket left South Africa searching for breakthroughs before both fell in quick succession.

See Also: Top 5 fastest ODI centuries for Australia ft. Cameron Green

Once Head and Marsh departed, Cameron Green capitalized on the solid base, unleashing one of his most destructive innings in ODI cricket. Green hammered 118 off 55 deliveries at a strike rate of 214.55, striking 6 fours and 12 sixes. Alongside Alex Carey’s brisk 50 not out, the duo ensured Australia crossed the 400-mark with ease. Finishing at 431/2 in 50 overs, it was Australia’s second-highest ODI total ever and an almost insurmountable challenge for the visitors.

South Africa fell short of target by 276 runs

In reply, South Africa’s batting faltered under pressure. The early dismissals of Aiden Markram (2), Ryan Rickelton (11), and captain Temba Bavuma (19) left them reeling at 39/3 within six overs. Dewald Brevis showed some resistance with a 28-ball 49, displaying his trademark power hitting, but his dismissal sparked another collapse. None of the other batters could build partnerships, as wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals against a disciplined Australian bowling attack.

Cooper Connolly was the star with the ball, returning figures of 5/25 in six overs, dismantling South Africa’s middle and lower order. Abbott and Bartlett provided key breakthroughs with two wickets each, while Zampa chipped in with one. South Africa were bowled out for just 155 in 24.5 overs, losing by a huge 276 runs. Though South Africa claimed the series 2-1, Australia’s statement win reminded the cricketing world of their depth, power, and ability to bounce back strongly in any conditions.

Top-class batting performance from Australia against South Africa for the 3rd ODI of the 3-match series. Centuries from Travis Head, captain Mitchell Marsh, and Cameron Green took Australia's total to 431 in 50 overs. Among these 3 centuries, Green's was the fastest one. With his 47-ball hundred, the all-rounder registered his name in a record list as an Australian cricketer. After Glenn Maxwell, Green became the second fastest batter to score a hundred in ODIs for Australia. Before Green, the first and the second places were occupied by Maxwell. 

Fastest ODI hundreds for Australia:

Glenn Maxwell, 40-ball century vs Netherlands, 2023

On October 25, 2023, Australia hammered the Netherlands during a Cricket World Cup 2023 match. The winning margin of 309 runs is the largest ever at a Men’s Cricket World Cup and the second largest ever in ODIs. Glenn Maxwell turned out to be the wrecker-in-chief for the Aussies with his 40-ball century. In his 104-run innings, the hard hitter smashed nine 4s and eight 6s; the strike rate was 240.91. The Netherlands cricket team was able to get only 90 runs in reply to Australia's 399 runs. 

Cameron Green, 47-ball century vs South Africa, 2025:

Back-to-back sixes, the strike rate was about to touch the sky, and Cameron Green's clutch performance earned him the second spot on the record list. He took only 47 balls to complete the hundred against South Africa in the first innings of the match. During his 55-ball, 118-run innings, he found the rope 6 times for boundaries and sent the ball into the stand on 8 occasions. 

Read More: Rohit Sharma vice-captain, Virat Kohli at number 3: Daren Sammy selects Dream T20 11

Glenn Maxwell, 51-ball century vs Sri Lanka, 2015:

Maxwell's masterclass in the 2015 ICC World Cup against Sri Lanka. With this, he required 51 balls to complete the century and won the man of the match award. In 53 deliveries, the middle-order batter scored 102 runs to secure a total of 376 in the first innings for his team. Sri Lanka fought well; Kumar Sangakkara scored 104 runs but got only 312 runs in the second innings. Australia won the game by 64 runs. 

James Faulkner, 57-ball century vs India, 2013:

A high-scoring, record-breaking match between India and Australia in Bengaluru. India, batting fast, scored 383 runs for 6 wickets, and Australia batted bravely till the end but got 326 runs. India won by 57 runs. Rohit Sharma's 209-run innings overshadowed Faulkner's 57-ball hundred. The Aussie all-rounder played a 73-ball, 116-run innings but for a losing cause. 

Travis Head, 59-ball century vs New Zealand, 2023:

A neck-to-neck high-scoring match between Australia and New Zealand at Dharamshala. New Zealand was close to chasing down Australia's first innings 388 runs but fell short by only 5 runs. Travis Head got the man of the match award for his 109 off 67-ball innings. The opener took 59 deliveries to complete the hundred. He thrashed the ball 10 times for four and hoisted it 7 times over boundaries. 

Australia’s batting was on fire in the third ODI at Mackay as they scored a huge 431 runs for 2 wickets in 50 overs.

The innings started with Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh giving the team a dream start. They added a record 250 runs for the first wicket. Head was the key player, hitting the ball to all along the ground. He scored a brilliant 142 runs from 103 balls, 17 fours and 5 sixes. Marsh played a steady innings, reaching his hundred from 106 balls .

After their partnership, Cameron Green took charge and scored one of the fastest powerful innings in recent games . He reached his hundred in just 47 balls, the second fastest century by an Australian in ODIs. Green stayed unbeaten with 118 runs from only 55 balls, hitting long sixes with ease.

Alex Carey also scored brilliantly 50 runs not out from 37 balls, rotating the strike and supporting Green in the last final overs. By the end of the innings, Australia had scored a massive score, leaving South Africa facing a very tough chase of 432 runs.

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Twitter reactions after Aussies to 431/2 in First Innings in the 3rd ODI

What Aussie media will tell you: Australia scored 431 runs 🥶 🔥
What Aussie media will never tell you:
All those runs came against Mighty Dinda sorry Mphaka,110kph Wiaan Mulder,103 averege in ODI's with the ball Corbin Bosch & 57 average with the ball Aiden Markram 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/LlMwcBvIKR

— Troll cricket unlimitedd (@TUnlimitedd) August 24, 2025

Australia 431/2 in 50 overs.
Marnus Labuschagne didn't even get to bat.
Had he batted he would've scored 50 runs of 85 balls and Australia would've ended up with 375. 😂😂
Australia dodged a bullet 😂 pic.twitter.com/QnI2tyTKUs

— Troll cricket unlimitedd (@TUnlimitedd) August 24, 2025

15 overs to go in the first innings, and the Proteas have finally broken the opening partnership! 🙌🇿🇦

Australia is 256/1 after 35 overs. 🏏 #WozaNawe pic.twitter.com/R52PTZAdYm

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) August 24, 2025

Head - 142 (103).
Green - 118* (55).
Marsh - 100 (106).
Carey - 50* (37).

AUSTRALIA POSTED 431/2 AGAINST SOUTH AFRICA. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/6yWG6Cxg9Y

— ABD (@FAheemAli_14) August 24, 2025

Head 142, Green 118*, Marsh 100, Carey 50*: Australia smash 431/2. Rampage. 🇦🇺🔥 pic.twitter.com/nsCJYcmSML

— Chris Felix (@ChrisFeliii) August 24, 2025

HUNDRED FOR CAMERON GREEN FROM JUST 47 BALLS...!!!! 🥶🔥

- Second Fastest Hundred by an Australian in ODI History, One of the Iconic Knocks ever, Brutal Ball striking at its best by the future. pic.twitter.com/dcfYI9W8GK

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) August 24, 2025

Cameron Green turned down an easy single and then went 6, 6, 6! 😱 #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/voNCrHoZcV

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) August 24, 2025

Travis Head - 142(103)
Cameron Green - 118*(55)
Mitchell Marsh - 100(106)
Alex Carey - 50*(37)

AUSTRALIA POSTED 431/2 FROM 50 OVERS AGAINST SOUTH AFRICA - Their Second highest total in ODI History. pic.twitter.com/VMChpSul8s

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) August 24, 2025

In the third and final ODI of the home series against South Africa, the Australian top-order batters thrashed all the Proteas bowlers to manage the first innings total of 431/2 in 50 overs. During that unforgettable innings, the Australian centurion top-order batters rewrote the rare ODI record.

While Australia have already lost the series, as the visitors are leading the series by 2-0 before the last game of the ODI series at Mackay, the hosts captain Mitchell Marsh chose to bat first in the last ODI. 

Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, and Cameron Green scored centuries for Australia

Australian openers Travis Head and captain Mitchell Marsh smashed a 250-run partnership for the first wicket, which was Australia's fifth-highest opening partnership and the highest opening partnership for any team against South Africa. Head completed his seventh ODI century in 80 balls, and Marsh recorded his fourth ODI century in 105 balls. 

With the help of 17 fours and five sixes, Head scored 142 runs off 103 balls. Meanwhile, skipper Marsh scored 100 off 106 balls with the help of six fours and five sixes. 

For the unbroken third wicket, Cameron Green and Alex Carey slammed a 164-run partnership from just 82 balls. Green slammed his maiden ODI century in just 47 balls to record the second-fastest ODI century by an Australian cricketer. He scored 118 not out off 55 balls, where the right-handed batter slammed six fours and eight sixes. On the other hand, Carey scored 50 not out off 37 balls with seven fours. 

[WATCH] Stunning crowd catch of Mitchell Marsh during AUS vs SA 3rd ODI as video goes viral

All three top batters scored centuries in an ODI innings

It was the second time in ODI history that all the top three batters scored centuries in an ODI innings. The first such incident happened during the 2015 Johannesburg ODI, when the top three South African batters created history for the first time against the West Indies. After openers Hashim Amla and Rilee Rossouw scored 153 not out and 128 runs, skipper AB de Villiers slammed the fastest ODI hundred and scored 149 runs in just 44 balls. 

While all the top four Aussie batters scored 50 or more runs in the innings, it was the 23rd time in ODI history that experienced all four top batters with 50+ runs in the same ODI innings. 

Former India player Aakash Chopra said that Cameron Green could be the most expensive player in the IPL 2026 auction. He added that the former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Mumbai Indians (MI) all-rounder has been scoring runs since returning from injury and may start bowling soon.

Green scored 35 runs off 13 balls in Australia’s 17-run win in the first T20I against South Africa in Darwin on Sunday, August 10. However, he managed only nine runs off seven balls in Australia’s 53-run loss in the second game at the same venue two days later. In a video on his YouTube channel ‘Aakash Chopra,’ the former India opener said that Green could be the most valuable player at the IPL 2026 auction.

Cameron Green Could Be the Most Expensive Player

Aakash Chopra said, "Cameron Green, I feel he could be the most expensive player in the auction. Since he has returned from injury, his batting form is already very good. He is not ready to bowl yet, but he will start bowling at some point. Right now, he is batting in the top order because he is not bowling."

He added, "If he starts bowling and considering his batting ability, he could actually break the bank. People will spend a lot of money on him. That’s what I feel. So this auction could be in Cameron Green’s name."

Cameron Green had opted out of the IPL 2025 auction due to injury. In IPL 2024, he scored 255 runs in 12 innings for RCB at a strike rate of 143.25. He also took 10 wickets in 35.1 overs with an economy rate of 8.61.

Mumbai Indians’ Overseas Player Decisions

Chopra also noted that Cameron Green, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, and Tim David were all part of the Mumbai Indians squad in IPL 2023 but are no longer in the team. He said, "The Mumbai Indians manage players carefully, but I am going to name four players they had but let go. Could the overseas player management have been better? They had Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, Tim David, and Cameron Green—all in one year. These four players were together in the squad, and now not even one is there."