Carey to return for series-opening ODI

Wicketkeeper Alex Carey will play in the first ODI against India as Australia wait to name their XI for Saturday's match in Hyderabad.

Captain Aaron Finch said a look at the wicket was required before the tourists could settle on their team for the series-opening clash, but the skipper confirmed Carey would take the gloves.

Carey was overlooked for the preceding T20I series for Melbourne Stars keeper-bat Peter Handscomb, who played a significant role in the unbeaten 99-run partnership with Glenn Maxwell in the second match in Bengaluru which Australia won to seal a 2-0 series victory.

Where Carey will bat is unknown at this stage. While he opened the batting in the three-match Gillette ODI Series against India at home last month, Finch said the South Australian will likely bat at No.7 in the World Cup.

"Alex has done well when he's had his opportunities and I know he was really disappointed missing out on the T20 games," Finch said.

"But Pete had done a good job for the Stars and gave us the luxury of playing that extra bowler as well, which was so important at the end of the day.

"Going forward, (the keeper) is probably likely to be in that middle-order, No.7 spot."

Although coach Justin Langer was cagey about a possible promotion up the order for in-form allrounder Glenn Maxwell, Finch said his Victorian teammate will get his chance higher up at some stage in the series.

Maxwell was brilliant in the T20I series, scoring match-winning knocks of 56 and 113 not out in the two wins batting at second-drop, and is set for an elevation from No.7 after he was dropped down the order during the home summer.

"His two knocks here were unbelievable," Finch said.

"Especially that last one, it was as good a T20 innings I've ever seen in terms of a big run chase, where the rate was always hovering around 10-11-12 which makes it difficult to manage your risk-reward scenarios.

"He'll get an opportunity a bit higher up the order, no doubt.

"His record in India is very good, the way he played in Australia, even in the ODIs there was some really good improvement.

"So whether that's six, whether it's five – I'm not exactly sure yet. But he'll get an opportunity a bit higher than seven I'd imagine."

Finally, Finch confirmed he will open the batting but veteran batsman Shaun Marsh is unavailable for selection for Saturday's match having landed in India early this morning after staying at home to be present for the birth of his second child.

Marsh's late arrival and concerns around his troublesome hamstring will see him miss the clash in Hyderabad. D'Arcy Short, who was in the squad as cover for Marsh, will return to Australia.

Once available, Finch expects the 35-year-old Marsh to return to No.3 where he's scored three centuries and averaged 68 in the past 12 months. 

Qantas Tour of India

First T20: Australia won by three wickets

Second T20: Australia won by seven wickets

First ODI: March 2, Hyderabad

Second ODI: March 5, Nagpur

Third ODI: March 8, Ranchi

Fourth ODI: March 10, Mohali

Fifth ODI: March 13, Delhi