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Australia have been hit by a double blow ahead of the opening ODI against India, with leg-spinner Adam Zampa and wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis ruled out of the series opener in Perth.
Cricket Australia (CA) has added Matthew Kuhnemann and Josh Philippe to the squad as replacements.
Zampa will miss the match due to paternity reasons, as his wife, Harriet, is expecting their second child.
The 32-year-old has opted to remain in northern New South Wales with his family, given the logistical challenge of travelling back from Perth on short notice.
The leg-spinner is expected to rejoin the team for the second and third ODIs in Adelaide and Sydney, and will also be available for the upcoming five-match T20I series, all set to be played on the east coast.
Inglis, meanwhile, continues to recover from a calf strain sustained during a running session in Perth. The injury had already sidelined him from the New Zealand tour, and he is also expected to miss the second ODI in Adelaide.
With Inglis unavailable, Josh Philippe is set to don the gloves for the first time in ODIs.
The 27-year-old has been in fine form on the domestic circuit and recently impressed for Australia A. This marks his return to the national setup after last representing Australia during the 2021 Caribbean tour.
Left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann also makes a comeback to the ODI side after three years.
He last featured during Australia’s 2022 tour of Sri Lanka and has since remained on the fringes of national selection, turning out consistently in domestic one-day cricket for Tasmania.
Selectors are keeping a close eye on player workloads with the Ashes approaching.
All-rounder Cameron Green is expected to feature in the first two ODIs but may skip the third in Sydney to play a Sheffield Shield fixture in Perth. Green is also unlikely to bowl in the India series as he gradually builds up his workload.
Regular wicketkeeper Alex Carey is expected to rejoin the side for the second ODI after completing his Shield commitments for South Australia.
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