"Australia can't affrod to be cooked before the World Series"- Cummins

Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Starc won’t be seen in the inaugural ODI against India in Mohali, India which acts as the final lead-in to the World Series, but skipper Pat Cummins was optimistic they would feature later in the three-match series.

They belong to a bunch of senior players- Cummins included- who are returning from injuries that kept them out of action.  Starc has been recuperating from a groin injury picked in the Ashes while Maxwell, who was already due to have a paternity leave, sustained ankle injury and as a result left South Africa early. He is expected to join the squad on Friday. 

Cummins, who is back after a wrist injury, hopes to compete in all three matches while Steve Smith returns after tackling a wrist injury after the Ashes.

"We want to strike the balance between getting used to these conditions, hopefully winning some games, but we also don't want to get to that first game [of the World Series] and already be cooked," Cummins said. "No doubt we'll be trying a few different combinations, a few different players will get a chance but ideally we'd like to structure up pretty closely to how we'll play in the World Cup.

"So batters batting in similar positions, ... and as a captain I want to get used to how you use your bowlers over here, it might be a bit different to say South Africa or Australia. Does the second spinner play a part? Hopefully we get some answers over the next few games."

There is uncertainty revolving around the workload Maxwell can manage in ODI cricket and he recently talked about how he needs to be cautious about how he approaches his game ahead of the World Series following his broken leg last year. He provides essential balance to Australia’s unit, conceivably acting as the second spin alternative in some conditions, a role that could become even more critical following Travis Head’s injury, besides his fiery batting. 

Australia have heavily stressed on having a deep batting order, and it is a balance the skipper stated would continue, although there occasionally could be an extra specialist bowler.

Marcus Stoinis in recent times has been utilised as a new ball bowler while Cameron Green will slot in at the top of the order. Sean Abott is another pace bowling all round alternative. Aaron Hardie is also available as a reserve player. He can act as a cover for Abott, who split his webbing in Johannesburg.

"You need five bowlers, so the more allrounders you have you can really bolster your batting," Cummins said. "It gives us flexibility to pick four genuine bowlers or maybe three bowlers and bat an allrounder at No. 8. Hopefully Maxi comes back later in the series, but the other three guys have been bowling fantastically."

Ashton Agar, who is a part of Australia’s World Series preliminary squad, is not available for this series having flown back home for his birth of his child.