Marsh to miss opening ODI, Green elevated

Australia's depleted stocks have taken a further hit ahead of the ODI series against Pakistan after T20 World Cup hero Mitch Marsh was struck down by a hip flexor injury.

Marsh suffered the setback during a training drill and he has been sent for scans.

Captain Aaron Finch expects Marsh to miss the entire three-match ODI series, with Cam Green to fill the void.

Marsh's injury comes at a bad time, given that stars Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and David Warner are all being rested from the white-ball component of the Pakistan tour.

Steve Smith was ruled out at the weekend due to an elbow injury, while Glenn Maxwell is another big name that is missing.

"I don't think he'll be available for this series based on how he was feeling yesterday," Finch said of Marsh.

"He sustained that yesterday in a fielding drill. It was a high intensity, lateral movement drill. 

"He bent down to pick it up one-handed and went to throw and felt a twinge in his hip flexor."

Marsh has been one of Australia's best white-ball players in recent times, but his absence has opened the door for Green to showcase his talent.

Green is flourishing on the Test arena, but his one and only ODI appearance came in December, 2020 when he scored 21 off 27 balls and took 0-27 off four overs in a 13-run loss to India.

"He will probably bat in that middle-order," Finch said of the 22-year-old.

"We're seeing that he's a super talented cricketer. He's someone who has been quite consistent in his Test career so far. 

"His impact with the bat and ball can't be underestimated. I'm really excited for Cam to get that opportunity."

Ben McDermott, who has just two ODIs to his name, could be given another crack at the top of the order in the absence of Warner.

And Smith's exit could open the door for Marnus Labuschagne to play his first ODI since 2020.

"Marnus is someone who brings a lot to the team, particularly in these conditions with his leg breaks, and his batting speaks for itself," Finch said. 

"He's a wonderful player and continues to get better in ODI cricket and T20 cricket in particular.

"The fact he's bowling more and more is impressive. 

"I don't know if anyone has seen the footage of our training yesterday, but Marnus bowled a lot and carried on like an idiot every time he got a wicket, which was quite good fun.

"He's someone who is so dynamic around the group, brilliant in the group. 

"Just the whole package he brings is outstanding, and I'm really looking forward to seeing him play in these conditions again."

Qantas Tour of Pakistan 2022

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Zahid Mahmood.

Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (c), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner.

First Test: Match drawn

March 12-16: Match drawn

March 21-25: Australia win by 115 runs

Pakistan ODI and T20 squad: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Abdullah Shafique*, Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq*, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Zahid Mahmood, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Saud Shakeel*, Shaheen Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir (*ODIs only)

Australia ODI and T20 squad: Aaron Finch (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Ben McDermott, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Adam Zampa

March 29: First ODI, Lahore

March 31: Second ODI, Lahore

April 2: Third ODI, Lahore

April 5: Only T20I, Lahore

All matches to be broadcast in Australia on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports