Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh have been rested for the ODIs against Pakistan
Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh have not been included in Australia’s 14-man squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Pakistan at home.
Both batters have been granted paternity leave, providing young Jake Fraser-McGurk another opportunity to open the batting.
Matt Short, who made a strong impression during the recent UK tour across the white-ball formats, is set to join him as the other specialist opener.
This series also marks the return of Pat Cummins, who has not played ODI cricket since the memorable night of November 19, 2023, in Ahmedabad.
The 31-year-old will be reunited with pace partners Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, as the trio prepares to play together for the first time since the 2023 ODI World Cup final.
In terms of notable comebacks, Marcus Stoinis returns to the squad due to the injury concerns surrounding Cameron Green, who has been officially ruled out for the Australian summer with a back stress fracture.
With surgery on the horizon, the all-rounder is expected to be sidelined for six months.
Green’s injury opens the door for Stoinis to make a return to the format, having last played in the ODIs midway through the 2023 World Cup.
However, he will face strong competition from Aaron Hardie, who had a highly successful UK tour in the white-ball formats.
The rest of the squad remains unchanged, as selectors have retained the same players that found success in England recently.
The ODI series is set to begin at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on November 4, followed by matches at the Adelaide Oval on November 8 and Optus Stadium in Perth on November 10.
Australia squad:
| Player Name |
|---|
| Pat Cummins (Captain) |
| Sean Abbott |
| Cooper Connolly |
| Jake Fraser-McGurk |
| Aaron Hardie |
| Josh Hazlewood |
| Josh Inglis |
| Marnus Labuschagne |
| Glenn Mawell |
| Matthew Short |
| Steve Smith |
| Mitchell Starc |
| Marcus Stoinis |
| Adam Zampa |
Nathan McSweeny to lead Australia A
Nathan McSweeny has been appointed captain for Australia’s two first-class matches against the touring India A side, scheduled to take place in Mackay and Melbourne. The squad includes several Test players, such as Scott Boland, Michael Neser, Marcus Harris, and Todd Murphy.
Commenting on the selection, Bailey stated, “We are really excited about this squad, especially after the tremendous performances we’ve seen at the start of the Sheffield Shield season.
“As always with Australia A selection, we’ve chosen a team that we believe can deliver compelling performances as we look ahead to the upcoming Test summer. We also want to reward players for their strong domestic form in roles that we see as vital for future selections.
“The selection of Australia A squads is a positive challenge, highlighting the depth and talent emerging alongside the more experienced players who are on the verge of international recall.
“This series presents a fantastic opportunity for these players to shine against a strong Test nation as they prepare for what promises to be an exciting summer of Test cricket.”
Australia A squad:
| Player Name |
|---|
| Nathan McSweeney (Captain) |
| Cameron Bancroft |
| Scott Boland |
| Jordan Buckingham |
| Cooper Connolly |
| Ollie Davies |
| Marcus Harris |
| Sam Konstas |
| Nathan McAndrew |
| Michael Neser |
| Todd Murphy |
| Fergus O’Neill |
| Jimmy Peirson |
| Josh Philippe |
| Corey Rocchiccioli |
| Mark Steketee |
| Beau Webster |
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