Australia’s women’s cricket team were dealt a devastating late setback moments before the opening one-day international against India, with star all-rounders Ellyse Perry and Kim Garth both ruled out of the entire ODI series.

The injury double blow landed just as the hosts were finalising preparations to take the field in Brisbane, leaving selectors scrambling and underlining how quickly fortunes can change in elite international sport. Cricket Australia confirmed both players had suffered quad strains during Saturday night’s T20 loss to India, injuries serious enough to sideline them for the full three-match ODI contest.

Their absence represents a major disruption for Australia, who entered the series looking to reset after falling short in the T20 format against the reigning world champions. Perry’s experience, composure and balance across all three disciplines have long made her one of the pillars of the side, while Garth’s consistency with the new ball and ability to control the tempo at the top of the innings have become increasingly valuable over the past year.

With little time to react, Cricket Australia moved quickly to call up fast bowlers Megan Schutt and Lucy Hamilton as replacements. Schutt, one of the most experienced quicks in Australian women’s cricket, was immediately named in the XI for Tuesday’s opening ODI at Allan Border Field, highlighting just how late the changes were made.

The statement released by Cricket Australia ahead of the match offered limited clarity on when Perry and Garth might return, particularly with a one-off Test scheduled after the ODI series.

“Their availability for Test match will be further assessed at the end of the ODI series pending on how they progress with rehab,” the statement said.

That uncertainty looms large for Australia, given the importance of the Test match both in terms of prestige and preparation ahead of future international commitments. For now, however, the immediate focus has shifted to reshaping the ODI attack and batting depth without two of its most reliable contributors.

Former Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc, speaking in commentary on Channel 7, described Garth’s absence as a significant loss, particularly given her ability to apply pressure early in the innings.

Starc noted that losing Garth’s control at the top of the order would test Australia’s adaptability, but he also expressed confidence in Schutt’s ability to step in seamlessly. He suggested Schutt could be “a great match-up” against India’s powerful left-handers, singling out Smriti Mandhana as a key battle.

That assessment was quickly validated on the field. After India won the toss and elected to bat, Schutt made an immediate impact, dismissing opener Pratika Rawal with the second ball of the match. It was the kind of early breakthrough Australia desperately needed after the turmoil of the pre-match injury news.

“We spoke about her swing, it’s only taken her two balls to be on the money,” Starc said.

“Pratika stuck on the crease, not really coming forward or back to start her first innings in Australian conditions.”

The moment provided a brief sense of calm for an Australian side forced to adjust on the fly. Yet it did little to mask the broader implications of losing Perry and Garth for the remainder of the series. Perry, in particular, has been central to Australia’s success across formats for more than a decade, offering leadership even when not wearing the captain’s armband.

As reported earlier by AAP, returning skipper Alyssa Healy is also managing her workload carefully, with the decision made for her not to keep wicket during the ODI series. Instead, Beth Mooney has taken over the gloves, another sign that Australia are thinking long-term amid a demanding international schedule.

The reshuffled line-up places increased responsibility on Australia’s middle order and bowling unit to compensate for the missing experience. Players such as Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner and Tahlia McGrath are expected to shoulder greater all-round duties, while the pace attack must find consistency without Garth’s steady influence.

India, meanwhile, arrived at Allan Border Field buoyed by their recent T20 success and eager to capitalise on Australia’s disrupted preparation. Led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur, the visitors boast a formidable batting order headlined by Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues, alongside a varied bowling attack capable of exploiting any uncertainty.

Australia’s starting XI for the opening ODI reflected both experience and adaptation: Alyssa Healy (capt), Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Voll, Beth Mooney (wk), Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molienux, Alana King, Megan Schutt and Darcie Brown. It is a side still brimming with talent, but undeniably altered by the absence of Perry and Garth.

India named a strong line-up of their own, featuring Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Shafali Verma, Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Kashvee Gautam, Sree Charani, Kranti Gaud and Renuka Singh.

Beyond the immediate contest, the injuries raise broader questions about player workload and injury management in the increasingly packed women’s international calendar. With formats overlapping and series coming thick and fast, even the most durable athletes are being tested physically, as Perry and Garth’s quad strains underline.

For Australia, the challenge now is twofold: finding a way to remain competitive against a world-class Indian side in the ODI series, while also ensuring Perry and Garth are given every chance to recover fully ahead of the Test match and future assignments. Rushing either player back would risk longer-term setbacks, something team management will be keen to avoid.

Despite the turmoil, there remains quiet confidence within the Australian camp that their depth can withstand this latest blow. Performances like Schutt’s early strike suggest the squad still has the resilience and quality to respond under pressure.

As the series unfolds, much attention will remain on updates regarding Perry and Garth’s rehabilitation, with fans and selectors alike hoping the injury cloud lifts sooner rather than later. Until then, Australia must navigate a challenging series without two of their most trusted performers, a test that could ultimately define their resilience in 2026.