India vs Australia: D’Arcy Short replaces Sean Abbott for ODI series

Sean Abbott won’t be taking part in the upcoming ODI series versus India, starting January 14 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The 27-year-old has developed a moderate side strain while representing the Sydney Sixers in the 2019-20 edition of the Big Bash League (BBL). The fast-bowling all-rounder from Windsor has now be sidelined for around three to four weeks.

Abbott was set for his ODI return after five years since his debut way back in 2014 against Pakistan. The pacer has done well in the ongoing BBL, picking up 11 wickets in five matches. After Abbott was ruled out, Cricket Australia (CA) has named D’Arcy Short as his replacement. The 29-year-old Short will also be making his comeback in the ODI format after more than a year.

Australia seeing Short as a spin-bowling all-rounder

“It is extremely unfortunate for Sean who is very much a part of our white ball squad plans leading into the ICC T20 World Cup and the World Cup,” Trevor Hohns, the national selector, was quoted as saying in Cricbuzz.

“D’Arcy offers the squad another spinning all-rounder option along with Ashton Agar, which along with the four world class fast bowlers and Adam Zampa balances the squad out nicely. His proven record and ability to bat anywhere in the order will also be a great asset to the squad,” he added.

Short made his ODI debut against England in Cardiff in 2018 and has played four matches. But after he could only manage 83 runs with a top score of 47*, the southpaw lost his place from the side. Short is currently plying his trade for Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL.

In the T20 tournament, the 29-year-old has already gotten scores of 60 and 51 versus Melbourne Renegades and Sydney Sixers respectively. He is yet to pick up a wicket though. Short has previously played four matches against India, though in five T20Is, two of which came in India.

As far as the upcoming series is concerned, after the Mumbai ODI, SCA Stadium in Rajkot and the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru will host the remaining two ODIs on January 17 and January 19 respectively.