Australia announces 14-man squad for one-day international series

GEORGE Bailey and Aaron Finch have been axed from Australia’s ODI side, with uncapped duo Chris Lynn and Billy Stanlake included in a 14-man squad for the upcoming series against Pakistan.

Australia made three changes to the squad that accounted for New Zealand 3-0 earlier this summer, calling up Lynn, Stanlake and Usman Khawaja in place of Bailey, Finch and all-rounder Hilton Cartwright.

Khawaja is set to open alongside David Warner at the Gabba in Brisbane on Friday, when Australia’s five-match ODI series against Pakistan starts.

Queensland batsman Lynn and paceman Stanlake, who have made a big impression on national selectors during the Big Bash League, could make their ODI debuts at home in the same match.

Glenn Maxwell has been retained in the squad but former skipper Bailey and Finch, both over the age of 30, face uncertain futures after being dumped.

LYNN COULDN’T BE IGNORED

LYNN has been unstoppable in this year’s Big Bash, with his blistering form capped off with a devastating match-winning 98 not out against Perth Scorchers this week — a freakish knock which included a record 11 seconds.

Quite simply, as interim selection chief Trevor Hohns admitted, Lynn’s form was undeniable.

“Chris Lynn is in superb form for the Brisbane Heat and although that is a different form of the game we believe it is right that we give him the chance to show whether he can convert his wonderful ball-striking ability to ODIs,” Hohns said.

TIME TO USHER IN A NEW ERA

HOHNS pointed to age as a factor for the 34-year-old Bailey as well as his poor international form as the reason behind his demotion, but admitted it was not an easy decision to dump two veterans from the world champions.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

A NEW BREED OF FAST BOWLER

BILLY Stanlake has turned plenty of heads with his BBL form for the Adelaide Strikers, taking six wickets in four matches including a superb 3-17 against the Sydney Sixers on New Year’s Eve.

The giant quick has endured foot troubles in recent years, which dashed his chances of playing in the 2012 under-19 World Cup, but fit and firing is a player of the future for Australia.

“Billy Stanlake is an exciting prospect who bowls with genuine pace and is a player who has made a terrific return to action for the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League after a lengthy time out through injury,” Hohns said.

“Billy himself and the medical staff involved in his recovery have done a great job, he’s back playing again and playing well and we believe that now is the right time to give him a chance to stretch himself.”

Australia’s 14-man ODI squad: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith (capt), Mitch Marsh, Travis Head, Chris Lynn, James Faulkner, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, Billy Stanlake.

Source : NEWS.com.au