Glenn Maxwell’s ODI retirement has left a gaping hole in the national white-ball side, and Australia has two years to find a worthy replacement before the next edition of the World Cup.
After 149 matches and two World Cup triumphs, the Victorian veteran announced his ODI retirement following March’s Champions Trophy, with all-rounder Marcus Stoinis and superstar batter Steve Smith also giving up the 50-over format.
The Australian ODI team’s post-Maxwell era gets underway with a three-match series against South Africa, commencing in Cairns on Tuesday night. Uncapped all-rounder Mitchell Owen was expected to get first crack at filling the void at No. 7, but after sustaining a head knock during Australia’s second T20 against the Proteas in Darwin, the Tasmanian was ruled out of the ODIs due to delayed concussion symptoms.
After opener Matthew Short was also ruled out of the ODIs due to a side injury, Australia replaced the wounded duo with all-rounders Aaron Hardie and Cooper Connolly. The West Australians have been given multiple opportunities in the national set-up over the last 24 months, collectively playing 40 matches across formats – but neither have passed fifty in Australian colours.
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Hardie, who has accumulated 166 runs at 16.60 in ODIs, rode the bench during Australia’s Champions Trophy campaign, with national selectors picking wicketkeeper Alex Carey as a specialist batter. The 26-year-old was also axed from the national contract list ahead of the 2025/26 season.
However, with state teammates Cameron Green and Mitchell Marsh currently unavailable as bowlers, the upcoming South African series looms as potentially the final chance for Hardie to cement his spot in Australia’s ODI team.“A lot of people when they’ve come into the Aussie team have had that experience,” Hardie told reporters last week.
“I know Josh Inglis was very similar in his first few years of touring.
“It’s such a hard team to crack into.
“I’ll be trying to take my opportunity when it comes.”
Meanwhile, Connolly returns to the national set-up after an underwhelming start to his international career, including a surprise Test debut against Sri Lanka in February. The 21-year-old boasts a high score of 13 across six knocks while taking two wickets at 84.00.
The rising star was elevated to opener for Australia’s Champions Trophy semi-final against India, but the promotion backfired when he was dismissed by seamer Mohammed Shami for a nine-ball duck.
An undeniable talent, Connolly has the benefit of time on his side, but with the likes of Sam Konstas and Oliver Peake headlining the next generation of Australian batters, he’s at risk of being overlooked for future tours.
Candidates for Glenn Maxwell’s ODI replacement
Aaron Hardie – 166 runs at 16.60
Cooper Connolly – 10 runs at 5.00
Mitchell Owen – yet to debut
Matthew Short – 280 runs 21.53
Jake Fraser-McGurk – 98 runs at 14.00
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Elsewhere, Carey has embraced his new role as a specialist batter in Australia’s ODI team having handed over the wicketkeeper duties to Josh Inglis. Since earning an ODI recall last year, the South Australian has cracked 335 runs at 67.00 with a strike rate of 107.37, including four fifties in six knocks.
“I think it’s worked pretty well in the last six months,” Carey told reporters on Sunday.
“Any chance I get to play for Australia, I’m happy.
“I don’t mind running around in the field.
“I was out of the team for a little while post-World Cup and to be able to get back in and play some cricket in the white-ball format, it’s been great. Happy to play whatever the role.”
Asked whether he had any ambitions of becoming Australia’s first-choice ODI gloveman again, Carey responded: “I guess you never say never,” Carey said.
“We’re pretty clear at the moment on where that sits. Both of us are pretty happy with that.”
The first ODI between Australia and South Africa gets underway at Cairns’ Cazaly’s Stadium on Tuesday at 2.30pm AEST.
Australia ODI squad
Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Adam Zampa
South Africa ODI squad
Temba Bavuma (c), Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Tony De Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Kwena Maphaka, Senuran Muthusamy, Keshav Maharaj, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Lhuan-Dre Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Prenelan Subrayen