Australia’s leading fast bowler Mitchell Johnson has been rested from the remainder of the ODI series against South Africa with a view to keeping him fresh for the upcoming 4-match Test series against India. Xavier Doherty, meanwhile, has been preferred over Nathan Lyon as the team’s spinner.
Michael Clarke was ruled out of the rest of the series due to a hamstring injury, leaving the door open for Cameron White, who has been massing huge scores for Victoria, to come in but the selectors, instead, have decided to not name a replacement for the injured Australian skipper.
"We have chosen not to replace Michael Clarke in the squad with another batsman. After considering the situation we believe we have enough batting depth for the next three matches of this series without calling in another player," Rodney Marsh, chairman of selectors, said.
Johnson being rested has led to call-ups for both Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, and they will be looking to impress as much as possible with selection for the Test series looming.
"We have decided to add two extra pace options to the squad with Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins. That also gives us the opportunity to ensure Mitchell Johnson is fresh and well prepared ahead of the first Test against India.
"Pat Cummins impressed in his return to Australian duty in the recent T20 Series and Mitch Starc has been in good form since his return from the UAE," Marsh added.
Doherty’s inclusion, after being out of the ODI set-up for a little while, might mean that he is still in the frame for a World Cup spot, even though Lyon has done well recently and his exclusion might simply be to give him some match practice in 4-day cricket before the Tests against India, starting in Brisbane on December 4. .
"We have opted to add Xavier Doherty to the squad as our spinning option," Marsh said. "He is a seasoned campaigner in good form and his ODI record speaks for itself."
Australia squad George Bailey (capt), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade (wk), David Warner, Shane Watson
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