Opening batsman David Warner has been ruled out of Australia's T20I series against India due to a groin injury.
Warner sustained the injury during the second ODI against the Indians at the Sydney Cricket Ground recently.
Fellow opening batsman D'Arcy Short has replaced Warner in the T20I squad.
Cummins Out, Too
Fast bowler Pat Cummins, meanwhile, has been rested for the third ODI at the Manuka Oval in Canberra and the three-T20I series.
Whether Warner will retain full fitness for the first Test against India, which will start on 17 December 2020, remains in the balance.
“Pat and David are critical to our plans for the Test series,” said head coach Justin Langer.
“Dave will work through his injury rehabilitation and in Pat's case it is important all of our players are managed well to keep them mentally and physically fit throughout what is a challenging summer.
“The priority for both is being fully prepared for one of the biggest and most important home Test series we have played in recent years, especially with International Cricket Council's World Test Championship points up for grabs.”
Australia are also waiting on the fitness of all-rounder Marcus Stoinis, who has a side strain.
Labuschagne Could Open
Batsman Marnus Labuschagne is eager to open the innings in Warner's absence, if required. Labuschagne has played a dozen ODIs since debuting earlier this year. He has batted in fourth, fifth and sixth position, but never opened.
“Certainly if I got asked to open the batting absolutely it's an opportunity that I would enjoy doing. We'll wait and see how our team shapes up for the next game and see the balance of the side, but yeah I would love doing it,” he said.
“My role at number four is just to read the situation of the game and play my role accordingly. But right now there's still a lot of games to be played before that, we've just got to make sure we finish this ODI series well and then straight into the T20Is where we start really well.”
Australia have an unassailable lead in the three-ODI series. Former captain Steven Smith stuck consecutive centuries during the first two ODIs at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
