Cricket Australia (CA) announced on Monday that all-rounder Aaron Hardie will join the Australian squad travelling to India as a contingency measure for Sean Abbott and Nathan Ellis. Both Abbott and Ellis have recently encountered minor injuries during the team's tour of South Africa.
Australia, already dealing with the disappointment of a 3-2 loss in the one-day international series in South Africa, is now facing additional injury concerns. These issues arise just three weeks before they commence their World Cup campaign in India.
Opener Travis Head's participation in the upcoming tournament is in jeopardy due to a finger fracture he sustained in South Africa. As a result, the team management has called up an extra batter, Matthew Short, to bolster the squad.
Further complications emerged as Abbott suffered a split in the webbing between his fingers and Ellis sustained a groyne strain while in South Africa.
Consequently, Aaron Hardie, who made his ODI debut in Bloemfontein on September 9, will remain with the squad for the upcoming three ODIs against India scheduled from September 22 to 27.
Additionally, there is positive news for the Australian team, as skipper Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, and Glenn Maxwell are set to return to the one-day international squad against India, having recovered from their respective injuries.