Two debutants confirmed as Aussies look to shake Perth hoodoo in ODI opener - LIVE

Australia will unveil two debutants in the first ODI against India at Perth’s Optus Stadium, starting at 2.30pm AEDT on Sunday.

Nine years after making his Test debut, Matthew Renshaw will don Australian gold for the first time, and he will be joined in the side by BBL breakout star Mitchell Owen as a newcomer to the team.

Australian captain Mitchell Marsh also confirmed on match eve that Matt Short will return to the line-up, and will bat at number three, as he did in the T20 series in New Zealand earlier this month.

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“We know that he opens batting for Victoria and Adelaide Strikers and has opened in T20 cricket around the world,” Marsh said.

“But we see no real difference between opening and batting number three, and we feel comfortable with him batting up there.

“Across the board, in our white-ball teams over the last 12 months, we’ve seen a lot of guys get opportunities and for us, it’s all about (them) coming in and being really clear on their role.”

Josh Philippe will take the gloves with Josh Inglis missing with a calf strain, and Alex Carey is in the squad but will sit out this match after playing Sheffield Shield cricket for South Australia this week.

Who will join Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood in Australia’s bowling attack remains unclear with left arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann a chance to return as he was recalled to the squad following Adam Zampa’s withdrawal due to personal reasons.

Australia are winless in three ODIs at Optus Stadium, and the last two have been dominated by fast bowling with Australia knocked over for 140 by Pakistan’s quicks last November, while they were rolled for 152 by South Africa back in 2018.

“Often you see at Perth Stadium it can swing around the new ball and both teams will be looking to do early damage on that wicket,” Marsh said.

“Across the board in the Big Bash, a lot of the biggest scores are backended.

“So if we get off to a good start, I believe it will be high scoring affair, but getting through the first 10 overs for both teams will be the challenge and maybe where the game is won and lost.”

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Australia squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw, Matthew Short, Mitchell Starc. Game two onwards: Adam Zampa, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis

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