Why are Pat Cummins and Alzarri Joseph not playing 1st ODI between Australia vs West Indies 2024?

Australia and the West Indies are all set to continue their ongoing multi-format series by kicking off the ODI matches, and both sides will clash in the first ODI at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday, February 2. With the first ODI kicking off, there were a plethora of changes seen in both Australia's and the West Indies' squads for the limited-overs clash.

It is worth noting that the likes of Pat Cummins and Alzarri Joseph will not be featuring for their respective sides in Melbourne. The star pacers have been given a rest after their fabulous showings in the recently concluded Test series.

The Australia contingent is being led by Steve Smith in Cummins’ absence, whereas Shai Hope is leading the Windies to take on the Aussies. After a sensational showing in the Test series, where the visitors stunned Australia at the Gabba, they will hope for similar showings in the ODI series as well.

Click here: AUS vs WI Live Score, 1st ODI

Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood rested as well

Furthermore, alongside Pat Cummins and Alzarri Joseph, the Australian team took on the West Indies with several of their star players in the squad missing. The likes of Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are all not playing the first ODI as they have been given a rest after the grueling Test series. 

The likes of Lance Morris, Aaron Hardie, Xavier Barlett, and many more stars have come into the side as replacements. It is worth noting that Australia kicked off the multi-format series with a dominant win in the first Test. However, Shamar Joseph’s heroics saw the Windies pull a game back in the second Test which ended the two-game Test series in a draw. However, with the ODI matches, the current world champions will look to put in a dominant performance and topple the Windies.