Cricket Australia, today, on November 14, has named their 16-member squad ahead of the multi-format series to India in December and January. The IND vs AUS 2023-24 series will feature one Test, three One-day Internationals (ODIs) and three T20 Internationals (T20Is) to be played in Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium and the DY Patil Stadium respectively.
Who has been named captain for the IND vs AUS 2023-24 series?
Meg Lanning’s recent retirement will certainly be a massive loss for Australia but in her absence wicketkeeper and experienced veteran Alyssa Healy has been leading the side. Over the past 18 months, Healy has filled in the boots admirably marshalling the squad through international commitments. Because of the injury that she sustained during the ongoing WBBL which could be a concern heading into the series, her return depends on how fast she will recover and be fit.
It will be interesting to see if Healy is named captain and it is being reported that the captain will be announced shortly ahead of the tour by the national selector Shawn Flegler who said: “Alyssa Healy’s finger is healing but remains in a splint and our medical team are continuing to monitor her recovery closely. We’re obviously very hopeful she will be available for the Test, but those decisions are still a while away.”
Biggest talking points of the IND vs AUS 2023-24 series?
One of the biggest talking points of this squad announced is how Lauren Cheatle earned her first call-up after almost four years of being sidelined, after having played in four ODIs and seven T20Is. Over the years, unfortunate and untimely injuries have kept her away from international cricket and with a favourable WBBL season where she was the pick of the bowlers on multiple occasions, she is primed for a debut in this test series.
“Lauren Cheatle has overcome significant injury setbacks and thoroughly deserves her place in the squad through her performances over the past six months,” Shawn Flegler said. “Lauren has playing experience in India (she played three of her seven T20Is for Australia during the T20 World Cup in India in 2016) and provides another fast-bowling option, particularly in regard to the Test match, which is the format she has been selected for.”
Another recall is that of Heather Graham who finally returns after she missed playing in the recently concluded West Indies series. The big-hitting Grace Harris still finds a place in the T20 squad in spite of not playing the West Indies series.
Australia would certainly be heading into the series with a lot of confidence having handed India a 4-1 defeat in 2022 in the previous T20I series and the experienced squad has experience of playing in India last year and at the Women’s Premier League as well. Having won even the ODI and the T20I series by margins of 2-0 and 2-1 respectively and the rain-affected drawn test in 2021, this series will certainly raise the bar in terms of competition and quality cricket.
IND vs AUS 2023-24: Schedule
| Date | Format | Venue |
| 21st-24th December 2023 | Test Match | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
| 28th December 2023 | First ODI | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
| 30th December 2023 | Second ODI | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
| 2nd January 2024 | Third ODI | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
| 5th January 2024 | First T20I | DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai |
| 7th January 2024 | Second T20I | DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai |
| 9th January 2024 | Third T20I | DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai |
Australia squad:
Darcie Brown, Lauren Cheatle (Test only), Heather Graham, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris (T20Is only), Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham
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