Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh injured ahead of ODIs against Pakistan

Australia have suffered a blow ahead of the ODI series against Pakistan as star all-rounder Mitchell Marsh got an injury during the team’s practice session on Sunday ahead of the first ODI at Gaddafi Stadium.

The 30-year-old injured his hip-flexor during the fielding drill and is expected to be ruled out of the white-ball games. Cameron Green, who played a brilliant role in the recently concluded Test series, will replace Marsh.

"He's injured his hip-flexor, we think, at training. We are going to have to wait and see what that looks like, but I don't think he'll be available for the series based on how he was feeling yesterday. He sustained that (injury) in a fielding drill. It was a high-intensity, lateral movement drill, and he bent down to pick it up one-handed and went to throw and felt a twinge, "Australian white-ball captain Aaron Finch was quoted as saying on Monday.

Cameron Green has only played one ODI for Australia. Finch is confident that he will replicate his Test performances in the fifty-over games.

"Cam will play and probably bat in that middle-order role," Finch said. "We've seen he's a super talented cricketer. He's someone who has been quite consistent in his Test career, his impact with the bat and ball can't be understated. Really excited for Cam to get that opportunity."

It must be noted that the visitors are already without Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, David Warner, Steve Smith and Kane Richardson.

The first ODI of the series starts from Tuesday.