Pat Cummins confirms Australia's playing XI for AUS vs PAK 2024 1st ODI

Australia captain Pat Cummins has confirmed the playing eleven for the first of the three ODIs against Pakistan set to begin on Monday (November 4) at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The captain himself will be playing ODI cricket for the first time in nearly a year.

Cummins hasn't played 50-over international cricket since Australia's glorious night of the 2023 World Cup final against India at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on November 19. The right-arm speedster skipped the tour of England in September to get in shape for the crucial home Test series against India.

Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matt Short will open the innings. Josh Inglis will keep wickets, while Sean Abbott has slotted in for fellow New South Wales teammate Josh Hazlewood, who has opted to play Shield cricket, with the Test series against India looming.

Playing XI for the first ODI against Pakistan: Matt Short, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Steve Smith, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Aaron Hardie, Glenn Maxwell, Adam Zampa, Sean Abbott, Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc.

Pat Cummins is keeping one eye on Australia A's performances

Pat Cummins. (Image Credits: Getty)

With Australia A players having a shootout for Test spots against India A, Cummins said they firmly have an eye on them, but also suggested that there will be other factors in play. He said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo:

"I think it's like a final bit of information. It's never as clean cut as a bat off. Some of these guys have only played a few games of Shield cricket, and then you've got other guys who have played over a decade. That last couple of weeks, is it really important? It's got some importance, but it's not going to guide the 100% of the decision. So it's that final bit of decision."

After the three ODIs, the Aussies will also play as many T20Is against Pakistan.