Ben McDermott added to Australia’s ODI squad after hamstring injury to Matt Short

Queensland batter Ben McDermott has been called up to Australia’s ODI squad for the third clash against the West Indies which is slated to take place in Canberra on Tuesday, February 6. The 29-year-old made his way into the squad after star batter Matthew Short was ruled out of the third ODI with a hamstring injury.

Short sustained the injury in the second ODI of the series at the SCG, scoring 41 runs with the bat; he was unable to field in the second innings as he got injured while batting. Furthermore, it is interesting to note that McDermott last played an ODI in Australia’s tour of Pakistan in 2022, scoring his only century in the format in the tour. With no spare batters left in the squad after Travis Head was rested, McDermott comes into the squad as a last resort for the Men in Yellow.

Recently, McDermott played a brilliant knock of 146* runs for Queensland against Tasmania in a Sheffield Shield clash, and the star batter will aim to convert his form in the third ODI against the West Indies as well.

Australia to miss Josh Hazlewood’s services as well

Furthermore, the Australian side will also be without the services of star pacer Josh Hazlewood in the third ODI against the West Indies as he is set to remain in Sydney before he links up with the T20I squad for the upcoming games against the Windies. 

With some stars missing out, the likes of Spencer Johnson have been called up into the T20I squad with Xavier Bartlett expected to make yet another appearance after his exceptional debut in the ongoing series for the national team. Having already clinched the ODI series by winning the first two games, Australia will look to put in a similar performance and clean sweep the visitors.

Australia ODI squad:

Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood (vc), Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Lance Morris, Ben McDermott, Will Sutherland, Adam Zampa