Batsman D’Arcy Short, and pace bowlers Kane Richardson and Nathan Coulter-Nile were among those earning recalls to the Australian limited-overs sides for the tour of India.
The squad announced on Thursday, 7 February, included several changes from the one that lost the ODI series at home to India.
Short, the big-hitting opener, who had been dropped for the previous series, found the door open a crack for him. He was named in the side as cover for Shaun Marsh for the two Twenty20 Internationals and the first two ODIs, with the senior batsman away for the birth of his child and also nursing an injury.
Richardson, the pace bowler, who last played for Australia against England back in July 2018, fought his way back into contention after a strong Big Bash League season, where he is the highest wicket-taker with 22 scalps.
Coulter-Nile, who had been left out for the previous series over injury concerns, will add to the pace attack with Richardson, the young Jhye Richardson, Jason Behrendorff and Pat Cummins. Cummins, who is one of Tim Paine’s deputies in the Tests, was named joint vice-captain in the shorter formats with Alex Carey as well.
However, Mitchell Starc, who had been rested against India, misses out after picking up an injury in the final Test against Sri Lanka, joining Josh Hazlewood on the sidelines. His injury was described as “a substantial tear to the left pec muscle” and the selectors indicated he was in line to make a recovery in time for the series against Pakistan in UAE.
Also left out were Mitchell Marsh, veteran Peter Siddle and Billy Stanlake. Ashton Turner, who is uncapped in ODIs, and had found himself in contention last time itself with Mitchell Marsh ill, continues to enjoy the backing of the selectors.
Congratulating Turner, Trevor Hohns, the national selector, said, “Ashton has been on our radar for some time, given his performances in the shorter formats. Ashton is a smart cricketer who reads the game well and provides us with another strong batting option. He’s been in good form over the summer, and he has an opportunity to put his case forward ahead of the World Cup.”
Short, who had been urged to rediscover form, especially against spin, when he had been dropped last time, was shown a way back into contention. “Shaun Marsh will join the squad following the birth of his second child. Shaun is also working his way back from a hamstring strain, but we expect him to be available for the third ODI,” explained Hohns.
“D’Arcy Short has been named in the squad as cover for Shaun. D’Arcy has been in outstanding form in the BBL over the summer, and he gives us another strong batting option for the opening fixtures of the tour, which include two T20s.”
As for the two additions to the pace attack, he added, “Kane has been in outstanding form over the summer, including his recent performances in the BBL … Nathan Coulter-Nile provides us with another quality bowling option, he brings good energy in the field and can also score runs in high pressure situations.”
Australia will play two T20I matches and five ODIs against India, starting February 24, in an assignment that will be vital preparation for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in England and Wales, starting 30 May.
Squad: Aaron Finch (c), Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Ashton Turner, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey (vc), Pat Cummins (vc), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Lyon, Adam Zampa, D’Arcy Short (cover for Shaun Marsh).
