AUS v IND 2018-19: Mitchell Marsh ruled out of Sydney ODI, Australia announces replacement

The first ODI between Australia and India will be played on Jan 12.

Ashton Turner will replace Mitchell Marsh for the first ODI against India | Getty Images

Perth Scorchers’ Ashton Turner is all set to make his One Day International debut against India, as Australia called up the uncapped batsman as a replacement for Mitchell Marsh for the three-match series opener at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Saturday (January 12).

Marsh has been ruled out of the Sydney ODI with a gastro bug and has spent two days in the hospital, while the availability of the all-rounder for the remaining ODI matches is under a cloud at the moment.

Justin Langer, Head coach of the Australian Cricket Team, has confirmed Turner’s inclusion in the squad on Thursday (January 10), saying his ability to create pressure with his running between the wickets earned the ODI nod for the Sydney encounter against India.

The Western Australian batter Turner is currently playing for the Perth Scorchers in the ongoing Big Bash League 2018-19 and has scored 43*, 47 and 60* in his last three outings in the tournament.

Langer told media, “We'll see how he goes, but he certainly won't (play) this first game and we will wait and see how he recovers. I remember when Mike Hussey came into Australian cricket, the thing that almost got him a shot in the one-day side was his running between his wickets.”

He continued, “One of the hallmarks of great Australian teams, you think about Dean Jones and Michael Bevan and Michael Hussey, is the running between (wickets). That might sound like the dumbest thing you've ever heard but you watch Ashton Turner, the way he runs between wickets is unbelievable. He's such a great athlete, it puts so much pressure (on the opposition).”

Langer signed off by saying, “It's a basic (skill) but we've also been talking about getting players who can finish off innings and he's shown that in what we can go off in Big Bash cricket, he's in great form. He can finish the innings off well, an elite athlete in the field and he's also a captain. You see the way he finishes off an innings that he's a good thinker of the game like most of the great finishes and a really good leader, good person around the group. Very excited to see him come in.”

Here is the revised Australia squad:

Aaron Finch (capt), Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Ashton Turner, Marcus Stoinis, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey, Jhye Richardson, Billy Stanlake, Jason Behrendorff, Peter Siddle, Nathan Lyon, Adam Zampa

(With AFP Inputs)

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 10 Jan, 2019

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