Australia have named a 14-man squad for the upcoming five-match One-Day International series against Pakistan. Experienced batsmen Aaron Finch and George Bailey have been dropped from the side while Big Bash sensation Chris Lynn, Usman Khawaja and Billy Stanlake have been named in the side. Hilton Cartwright was also axed from the squad.
“This is an extremely important series for us as, following it in a ODI context, we have the Chappell-Hadlee Series in New Zealand and then, in mid-year, the ICC Champions Trophy, a tournament which we won in 2006 and 2009,” said Interim National Selector Trevor Hohns.
“We believe this squad is an exciting combination that covers all bases for us over the course of the five matches against Pakistan. Both George Bailey and Aaron Finch have been prominent players in the ODI squad over the past few years but both of them have missed out on places in this squad.
“George has scored one fifty in his past 10 ODIs and, while his form has not been disastrous, it has not been to his usual standard so we have decided to look at younger players in the middle order in this instance. Aaron, across the past four series in the Caribbean, Sri Lanka, South Africa and the Chappell-Hadlee Series, has scored four fifties in his last 18 innings. I have spoken to both players and they understand our perspective as selectors.
“Usman Khawaja has been in excellent touch throughout this Test summer, is able to bat anywhere in the top order and deserves another chance to demonstrate his ODI credentials,” he added.
The five-match series kicks off in Brisbane (13 January) before moving to Melbourne (15 January), Perth (19 January), Sydney (22 January) and finally Adelaide (26 January).
Australia ODI squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Pat Cummins, James Faulkner, Travis Head, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Chris Lynn, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa
