Australia will be the firm favourite when they host Pakistan for 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is in January 2023. The fearsome Australian side finished 2022 on a strong note. They defeated hosts India 4-1 in the 5-match T20I series. The batting clicked for Australia as their lowest score across the five matches was 172.
They won three matches while batting first. One match was won while chasing. The Alyssa Healy-led side chased down 173 runs in 18.1 overs with the loss of just one wicket in the first T20I in Mumbai.
The experienced Beth Mooney impressed with the bat as she top-scored in the series with 205 runs from 5 matches. She averaged a staggering 68.33. Ellyse Perry and Tahlia McGrath rounded up the top 3 in the list of the high run-getters in the series.
The 25-year-old Ashleigh Gardner was the joint top wicket-taker in the series with 7 scalps from five encounters. Heather Graham picked 7 wickets in just three matches and will be one of the players to look out for going forward.
Australia will miss the services of Alyssa Healy in the T20Is and ODIs. She is still recuperating from her calf injury sustained during the series against India. The 32-year-old is expected to be fit ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup that is going to be held in South Africa next month.
However, cricket fans will be happy to know that regular captain Meg Lanning will be returning to the field after a gap of over six months.
The Australian squad for the ODI series against Pakistan
Let’s take a look at the squad that Australia has assembled for the upcoming ODI series against Pakistan. The first ODI will be played on January 16, Monday in Brisbane.
Australia ODI squad: Meg Lanning (c), Tahlia McGrath (VC), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland.
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