Cricket: Australia opener David Warner is expected to be named as Steve Smith’s deputy after the fifth Ashes Test.
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Joe Burns and Ashton Agar are among the inclusions in Australia’s squad for upcoming limited-overs matches.
The T20 squad has only one change with the addition of leg-spinner Cameron Boyce, another who has impressed on the “A” Tour, for the one-off T20 worldwide match against England on 31 August in Cardiff.
Burns, 25, is coming off a powerhouse 154 from 131 balls for Australia A against India A in Chennai last week. The squad features only eight of the players that were part of the World Cup-winning side earlier in the year while three members of the 14 man squad are yet to make their debut for the national side.
Marsh added: “The squad we have selected has a few fresh faces in it as well as some experienced players that will provide us with the right balance”.
Burns proved he was “a very capable young batsman who has experience opening”, said Marsh.
Shane Watson retains his place although Faulkner misses out after being convicted of drink-driving in England last month, with his place going to Stoinis, uncapped at worldwide level.
“Marcus has performed very well in India during the four-day series and we have always liked that option of the extra all-rounder in our side, so with James Faulkner’s unavailability, this is a great opportunity for Marcus”.
Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin had also called time on his ODI career after the World Cup and is replaced by Matthew Wade. James Pattinson and Nathan Courter-Nile will partner Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins in the fast bowling department.
“Matt has done a good job in the short form of the game in the absence of Brad Haddin in the past and now with Brad’s retirement from one-day cricket we think he will step up nicely into the position”, Marsh said.
Ashton Agar’s debut ODI series will double as an audition for Australia’s Test tour of Bangladesh.
Fast bowlers Mitchell Johnson and Josh Hazlewood are additionally being rested after Australia’s dismal Ashes marketing campaign towards England, Sport24 reported.
“Ashton [Agar] has performed very well with the ball since his return from shoulder surgery including taking five wickets in the recent Australia A game in India. It could be that we take theoretically four spinners on these future tours… and it would be lovely to have a leggie as well, but at this point in time he hasn’t bowled particularly well over here – but… he hasn’t had many opportunities”, Marsh said.
But Marsh says poor form isn’t the reason why Lyon wasn’t chosen for his first ODI series since the 3-0 sweep of Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates in October a year ago.
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Australia squad: S Smith, A Agar, G Bailey, Cameron Boyce (T20 only), J Burns, N Coulter-Nile, P Cummins, M Marsh, G Maxwell, J Pattinson, M, Starc, M Stoinis, M Wade, S Watson, D Warner.
