Australia will give two players their ODI debut in the first ODI of the three-match series against India at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Sunday, October 19. Left-handed batsman Matthew Renshaw and all-rounder Mitchell Owen will make their ODI debuts for Australia after strong performances.
Australia lost their home series 1–2 against South Africa in their last match in this format. The Australian team last played against India during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where they lost by four wickets. Notably, the hosts will be without key players, including captain Pat Cummins, who is recovering from injury.
Matthew Renshaw and Mitchell Owen set to make ODI debut for Australia
Matthew Renshaw is set to make his long-awaited ODI debut for Australia in the series opener against India. Matt Short will return to the ODI setup to bat at number three.
The defending world champions will test their bench strength against India. In the absence of regular wicketkeeper Josh Inglis, who is recovering from a calf injury, Josh Phillippe will take charge in the opening match of the series.
Renshaw, Cooper Connolly and Mitchell Owen add batting depth and all-round skill to the team. Left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhneman will return to the ODI lineup as Adam Zampa will miss the first match due to family commitments. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood will lead the fast bowling attack.
I believe it will be a high-scoring affair – Australia captain Mitchell Marsh
Captain Mitch Marsh said that discussion on the new ball will be important in the first ODI. He said early losses with the new ball often decide the outcome, while big scores come later in the innings.
Marsh said on the eve of the match, “Often you see at Perth Stadium it can swing around the new ball and both teams will try to do early damage on that wicket. Across the board in the Big Bash, a lot of big scores are backended.”
“So if we start well, I believe it will be a high-scoring affair, but it will be a challenge for both teams to win the first 10 overs and that may be where the game is won and lost,” he said.
No real difference between opening and No. 3 – Mitchell Marsh
Travis Head and Mitch Marsh will open the innings, Matt Short will be at number 3. Short missed the South Africa series in August with a rib cartilage fracture and the end of this year’s Champions Trophy with a quad injury.
Marsh said Short regularly opens for the Victoria and Adelaide Strikers and has experience opening in T20s at the world level, but the team is confident of his adaptability at No. 3.
“We know he opens for Victoria and Adelaide Strikers and has also opened in T20 cricket around the world,” Marsh said.
“But we don’t see any real difference between opening and batting at number three and we feel comfortable batting there.
“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.”
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