Australia picked three newcomers Monday to cover the absence of fast bowling spearheads Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood for their one-day series in South Africa this month.
Selectors included Victorian Chris Tremain and South Australians Joe Mennie and Daniel Worrall in a 15-man-squad after deciding to rest Starc and Hazlewood post the recent Test and ODI series in Sri Lanka.
Starc and Hazlewood have been given time off to refresh ahead of the Australian summer season, while Usman Khawaja, Moises Henriques and Nathan Lyon were left out of the South Africa-bound squad.
Chris, Joe and Daniel all had terrific summers last year and have also impressed us during the recent Australia A series with consistent performances. They are young players with a bright future who thoroughly deserve their selection. We look forward to seeing them work with John Hastings and Scott Boland, who have both performed well for Australia since returning from injury.Rod Marsh, Chief Selector, Australia
Captain Steve Smith, who was rested from the Sri Lanka tour after the second of five ODI’s, returns to lead the side in South Africa. The tour comprises six ODI’s with the first against Ireland on 27 September, followed by five against South Africa beginning on 30 September.
SQUAD:
Australia - Steve Smith (captain), David Warner, George Bailey, Scott Boland, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, John Hastings, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Joe Mennie, Chris Tremain, Matthew Wade, Daniel Worrall, Adam Zampa.
(With inputs from PTI.)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)