Australia hit by Covid and injuries before first ODI in Pakistan

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 injury.

Marsh suffered the setback while fielding during a training drill. Scans confirmed the injury was a low-grade hip flexor strain but the tourists remain hopeful Marsh can play some part in the series.

Captain Aaron Finch had earlier said he expected Marsh to miss all three matches, with Cameron 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.”

In a further blow for Australia, Josh Inglis has tested positive for Covid-19. The wicketkeeper-batter will isolate for five days before returning to the squad.

Queensland batter Matthew Renshaw will join the team following three days isolation but Marsh’s 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