Glenn Maxwell called in as a cover for injured Aaron Finch

Australia would have hoped to salvage some pride with a win in the dead rubber fourth ODI against England but fate had some other plans as they lost their in-form batsman to an injury. Opener Aaron Finch has been ruled out of the clash due to a hamstring injury. To replace him in the team Cricket Australia has decided to bring back Glenn Maxwell in the mix.

Finch was in terrific form

Finch has been Australia‘s standout performer despite a series of losses for his side, and the team would have hoped for at least a consolation victory in the fourth ODI. The opener scored centuries in the first two matches and then hit a 62 at the SCG on Sunday. But due to a minor hamstring strain, he will be unavailable for the fourth ODI in Adelaide on Friday (January 26) and is likely to miss the fifth and final ODI as well.

Maxwell or Travis Head?

Maxwell, initially ignored for the ODIs due to inconsistency in his performances, will join the squad in Adelaide on Thursday night ahead of the fourth ODI. But in all probability, the mercurial all-rounder may not get to feature in the playing XI since he has been brought in as a cover only. This, despite him having racked up a lot of runs in Sheffield Shield and the Big Bash League (BBL) this summer

Meanwhile, Travis Head, the discarded batsman, will be hoping to make the most of Warner’s injury and earn a comeback on his home ground in Adelaide. Head is fondly remembered for his record opening partnership with Warner from last year. Together the two had registered the highest opening one-day stand of 284 against Pakistan last in Adelaide, which is also the venue for what could be Head’s comeback game.

England have already secured the series 3-0 with two games left to play. The ODI series will be followed by a tri-nation T20I series, also involving New Zealand.