Australia batter Matthew Short has been ruled out of AUS vs WI 3rd ODI. Ben McDermott has been chipped in as a replacement for the all-rounder. Matthew Short might also miss the AUS vs WI T20I series later.
Australia vs West Indies 3rd ODI is all set to take place on Tuesday, February 6 at Manuka Oval Stadium in Canberra. The final game will conclude the ODI series, which Australia has already won. The hosts won the opening two games to grab an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
The Australia squad has been deeply affected by injuries. Notably, Travis Head sustained an injury in the ODI series and was ruled out of the entire West Indies tour of Australia 2024. Xavier Bartlett was ruled out of the 2nd ODI due to injury after bagging a 4-wicket haul in the 1st ODI.
However, the Aussie pacer will be back for the final encounter. Josh Hazlewood played in the 2nd ODI but will miss the final ODI game in Canberra. The senior pacer will return in the T20I series later. Notably, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc are also absent from the AUS vs WI ODI series.
Also Read: Watch: Cameron Green turns Iron Fist to grab spectacular one-handed catch to dismiss Roston Chase
Matthew Short sustained a hamstring injury in 2nd ODI
Matthew Short sustained a hamstring injury while batting in AUS vs WI 2nd ODI in Sydney. The right-handed batter slammed crucial 41 runs in the match. However, Matthew Short did not arrive on the field in the 2nd innings due to hamstring issues.
Meanwhile, Matthew Short’s replacement Ben McDermott recently shattered a wonderful century for Queensland in a Sheffield Shield clash against Tasmania. The right-handed batter will return to the ODI team after April 2022, when he played a match against Pakistan.
However, Ben McDermott was part of the IND vs AUS T20I series in November-December last year. So far, the wicketkeeper batter has featured in 5 ODIs and 25 T20Is for Australia. He owns a stunning batting average of 44.60 in ODIs with 1 century and 1 half-century.
Also Read: Watch: Justin Greaves stuns Will Sutherland with his reflexes to grab diving catch in Sydney
Australia lead ODI series 2-0
Meanwhile, Australia has already clinched the ODI series, and the AUS vs WI 3rd ODI is a dead-rubber game for both sides. Australia won the previous match by 83 runs. They piled up 258-9 batting first and later bundled out West Indies for 175.
Sean Abbott won the Player of the Match award for his spectacular 69-run crucial knock while batting and 3 scalps while bowling. Earlier, Australia also won the opening match by 8 wickets. They comfortably chased down a 232-run target in the match with fifties by three batters- Josh Inglis, Cameron Green, and Steve Smith.
Also Read: Kane Williamson surpasses Sir Don Bradman to join elite list of Test centurions
Post the AUS vs WI ODI series, both teams will clash with each other in a three-match T20I series. The opening game takes place on Friday, February 9 in Hobart. The next two encounters will be played in Adelaide and Perth.
