Mitch Marsh, Mitch Starc and Adam Zampa are not available for the first ODI against Sri Lanka and another bowler has now been ruled out.
Paceman Kane Richardson has joined the crowded Australian casualty hall and will not appear at all in the five-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, but Mitch Starc and Mitch Marsh will make their much-needed returns for the third match.
Replacing Richardson on the 50-year-old is the favorite of Scott Boland fans, although he is unlikely to play unless the Australians are knocked down by another injury.
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Cricket Australia confirmed on Monday afternoon (AEST) that Richardson suffered a “fairly serious” hamstring injury in the third T20 of Australia’s series with Sri Lanka last week.
Richardson will return home to recover and put on a brave face on Saturday so convincingly that Finch had no idea he had been injured.
“I didn’t know (during) the other day’s game, so it was very important for him to be able to pass,” Finch said before the first ODI, which will take place on Tuesday in Kandy.
The Australian coaches considered flying to replace Richardson, who himself only joined the team to cover the injuries.
Boland proved to be an easier option, however, as he was already in Sri Lanka for the next round of testing.
“We talked about bringing in Nathan Ellis from the UK, but he’s missed a couple of games in the county with a groin injury,” Finch said.
“Riley Meredith, Wes Agar, have not yet returned home.
“Scotty just came in as a deck.”
Richardson joins the sidelines for Starc (finger) and Marsh (calf), both likely to return from injury for the third game in the ODI series on Sunday.
“(Marsh) and ‘Starcy’ are about the same time, which could potentially be the second game, but more than likely the third game,” Finch said.
“It was not ideal with Mitch Marsh as an all-terrain vehicle going down with a bit of calf (injury).
“(Starc) still has some stitches in his hands, so it ‘s likely to be available for the third ODI.
“It simply came to our notice then. The fact that it was a very serious bowling injury and not being able to have a ribbon during the game or when playing, made it a little more difficult. “
Finch confirmed his XI to face Sri Lanka in the first ODI, with Alex Carey, Marnus Labuschagne and Pat Cummins the only named players not to play in the T20I series.
Cummins missed the series to rest his annoying hip before the ODI and Test series and will be greeted with open arms.
“He’s really looking forward to going,” Finch said.
“He is fresh and loaded after overcoming that hip injury that had been going on for 12 or 14 months.
“To be able to have a good period of solid recovery and then a training block, it looks like it’s underway.”
Finch said spinner Mitch Swepson was given the opportunity to join his two ODI hats when tourists returned to Colombo starting Sunday.
For the first two games, however, the Australians agree to use only one specialist spinner, Ashton Agar.
“We feel that two spinners on that surface (in Kandy) are probably not required as much,” he said.
“But going to Colombo will definitely be considered.”
The 11 Australian to face Sri Lanka in the first ODI are:
David Warner
Aaron Finch (c)
Steve Smith
Marnus Labuschagne
Alex Carey (week)
Marcus Stoinis
Glenn Maxwell
Ashton Agar
Pat Cummins
Jhye Richardson
Josh Hazlewood