Australia will try to refocus their attention on defending their ODI title next year after giving up their T20 title in a shocking semifinal loss earlier this year. The journey to that goal starts on Thursday, December 5, in Brisbane, with a three-match series at home against World Cup hosts India.

Australia last played the 50-overs format in March at Mirpur, where they defeated Bangladesh 3-0 in a historic series victory during a T20 World Cup year.

Australia leads the 2022–25 ICC Women's Championship table with six completed series. They have only lost one series overall (against England in 2023) and one of their past 10 ODIs (against South Africa earlier this year).

Even while Australia is on track to qualify directly for the main event, the six points available over the next week will assist in solidifying that position even more.

Australia will begin preparations for a busy summer without their usual captain as the focus shifts to the one-day format.

Rising talent Georgia Voll has replaced Alyssa Healy in the squad after the latter suffered a slight knee injury in the subsequent WBBL. Healy also missed the October T20 World Cup final in the United Arab Emirates.

With 330 runs at an average of 30 and a strike rate of over 145, the 21-year-old was the second-best run scorer for the Sydney Thunder in the WBBL 2024. He will open with clubmate Phoebe Litchfield.

With Healy anticipated to return in time for the pre-Christmas trip to New Zealand, Beth Mooney is set to assume the wicketkeeping responsibilities for the series' duration. Despite this, the regular captain has remained with the team in Brisbane despite recovering.

The leadership team has seen a minor shift as Australia looks to the future. Instead of experienced all-rounder Ellyse Perry, who filled in in the UAE, Tahlia McGrath will now have Ashleigh Gardner as her new vice-captain for her first complete series in command as Australia's captain.

Working with Ash Gardner in a new relationship excites me a lot. I like to add my unique touch to it [captaincy]. Each captain is a little different, but for me, it's a complete series, and I'm thrilled about the chance to collaborate with Ash to put some of my captaincies into practice, hopefully, get the most out of this team, and win the series."

Midge is still quite active with the squad, and it's also great to have her up here. I'm a more reserved leader who leads from the front and engages in brief discussions.

My greatest leadership quality is my composure. I contribute that to it. I've discovered that partnership with Midge, and we really balance each other out. Ash has many strengths that complement mine, so I'mI'd like to do the same with her.

Despite being away from home, McGrath is also cautious of the "superstars" on the Indian team and the challenge they may present.

In addition to the fact that any Indian team in Australia garners a lot of fan support, up to six of them have recently been exposed to the conditions because they played in the recently finished WBBL season, where only D Hemalatha did not make the squad.

Yastika Bhatia, a left-handed wicketkeeper, was set to fill the opening position after Shafali Verma was fired, but she was forced to return home at the end of her first WBBL season due to a fractured wrist.

It's a return to the nation for leggie Priya Mishra and middle-order batsman Tejal Hasabnis, who made their ODI debuts in the October home series against New Zealand.

Mishra memorably took a fifer in the third game to set up a vast 171-run consolation victory in Mackay, while Hasabnis recorded a hat-trick of fifties in as many one-day games on the A tour in August.

Following their impressive debuts in India's 2-1 series victory over New Zealand, both have maintained their positions in the squad, and captain Harmanpreet Kaur expects them to keep up the good work.

The six points from the series will only determine whether India can defeat two-time champion Australia and win the IWC for the first time, as they have already qualified for the tournament as hosts.

Harmanpreet Kaur hinted at using India's nine remaining series, including the one against Australia, to create a bigger pool for the home World Cup, which is ten months away. Billy777 login and see all cricket updates.

"We all look forward to winning this series because it's really important to us... All we want to do is travel there and play cricket. Our team's success in the ODI format is encouraging, and we simply hope to maintain that momentum [in Australia].

Every game is significant to us; all we want to do is try different combinations, identify the best players, and offer them additional chances. We want to give the up-and-coming players who are performing really well an opportunity as well, and we'll see who can do the best in home conditions while keeping the World Cup in mind."

In addition to Bhatia, the tourists are missing Asha Sobhana, a legspinner, and Pooja Vastrakar, a pace-bowling all-rounder, due to injury. Following a strong ODI debut at home, Saima Thakor, one of the WPL 2024's rising stars, has maintained her spot in the squad.

To read more blog: Online Cricket ID Registration for Betting Conveniently on All Sports

After missing the New Zealand series due to board exams, wicketkeeper-turned-finisher Richa Ghosh is back, and all-rounder Harleen Deol may be ready for her India comeback following a protracted recovery from a knee injury.