In a significant setback for Australia, Matthew Short has been ruled out of the third and final One-Day International against West Indies, scheduled to be played in Canberra on Tuesday (February 6).

Injury to Matthew Short

This decision stems from a low-grade hamstring injury that Short sustained while batting in the second ODI, which Australia convincingly won by 83 runs, securing an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. Despite contributing with 41 runs, Short did not take the field during the second innings due to the injury.

Cricket Australia names the replacement for the 3rd ODI against the West Indies

In response to this development, Cricket Australia (CA) has made a strategic move by calling up Queensland batter Ben McDermott as Short’s replacement. McDermott, last seen in action during Australia’s tour of Pakistan in 2022, where he recorded his only century in the ODI format, now steps in as the last resort for the Men in Yellow, with no spare batters left in the squad after Travis Head‘s rest. McDermott arrives with recent form, having played an exceptional knock of 146* runs for Queensland against Tasmania in a Sheffield Shield clash. The star batter will aim to carry this momentum into the third ODI against West Indies.

Another notable change

In addition to that, star pacer Josh Hazlewood will also be absent in the third ODI against West Indies. Hazlewood is set to remain in Sydney before joining the T20I squad for the upcoming games against the Windies. With the ODI series already secured after winning the first two games, Australia will strive for a comprehensive performance to achieve a clean sweep against the visitors.