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Kane Richardson joins Aussie casualty list

3 minute read

Australia's ODI depth is being put to the test after Kane Richardson joined Mitchell Starc, Mitch Marsh, and Sean Abbott on the sidelines.

KANE RICHARDSON of Australia. Picture: Francois Nel/Getty Images

Paceman Kane Richardson has left tour of Sri Lanka because of a hamstring injury, but Test skipper Pat Cummins is fit and firing after overcoming a long-standing hip complaint.

Richardson played out the third T20 against Sri Lanka this week despite tearing his hamstring during the warm-up.

Scans have since revealed the extent of the damage, with Richardson expected to be sidelined for about six weeks.

The 31-year-old joins Mitch Marsh (calf), Sean Abbott (broken finger), and Mitchell Starc (cut finger) on the sidelines.

White-ball captain Aaron Finch expects Starc and Marsh to be fit to return for the third ODI against Sri Lanka on June 19.

Game one of the five-match ODI series starts on Tuesday in Kandy.

Test newcomer Scott Boland has been called into the ODI squad as cover for Richardson, but he is unlikely to play in the series unless there are further injuries.

Australia will lean heavily on pace for the series-opening ODI, with Cummins, Jhye Richardson and Josh Hazlewood all selected.

Ashton Agar will be the sole front-line spinner, with Finch to rely on Glenn Maxwell and Marnus Labuschagne for extra spin options.

Legspinner Mitchell Swepson could join Agar in a two-pronged spin attack when the series shifts to Colombo for games three, four and five.

"We feel as though two out-and-out spinners probably won't be required as much on this surface," Finch said of the Kandy pitch, which will host the first two ODIs.

"But going to Colombo, that will definitely be considered."

Cummins was rested from the T20 series, which Australia won 2-1.

Finch revealed the 29-year-old had been battling a hip injury for more than a year.

"He's very keen to go. He's fresh and recharged after getting over that hip injury," Finch said.

"That had been lingering around for 12 or 14 months.

"It causes him a lot of discomfort at times. It's not been one particular incident, it's just been a gradual build-up.

"So for him to be able to have a good solid recovery period and a training block, he looks like he's up and running."

Cummins hasn't played an ODI since November 2020 and he looms as a crucial weapon heading into the 2023 World Cup in India.

Finch confirmed the XI for game one of the ODI series against Sri Lanka, with himself and Dave Warner to open, followed by Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey, Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell.

AUSTRALIA ODI XI FOR GAME ONE VS SRI LANKA:

Aaron Finch (capt), David Warner, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Jhye Richardson, Josh Hazlewood.