But Steve Smith said Marsh had earned the chance as Aaron Finch’s injury replacement after performing admirably with a pair of half-centuries when David Warner was on paternity leave during the successful Indian home series.
Advertisement
Khawaja starred in the Test series against New Zealand and West Indies before impressing in the Big Bash League, but he has struggled for worldwide limited-overs opportunities.
“For us it s about making sure we re playing the same way we have been – good, hard aggressive cricket”. When asked if the latest results dented Australia confidence ahead of the New Zealand tour, Faulkner replied on the contrary.
“We’ve traditionally done quite well using (Glenn) Maxwell as our spinner… we suspect it will swing around a little bit and we’re going to make use of that”, he said.
“I think he’ll play one of the (three ODI) games at least”, the skipper said. “But I’ve got three or four weeks left of global cricket and I want to get out there and compete and try and do as much as I can to make a contribution to the team”. “After the first three games (ODIs), especially (considering) the team they are in the shorter formats, to chase the totals that we did and perform the way we did with new faces in our squad as well, more so with the bowling line-up, was a great bonus and achievement as a group, being really young”.
The man regarded by many as Australia’s player of the summer has lost out to Shaun Marsh for the first one-dayer in Auckland on Wednesday, as selectors opted to stay true to their 50-over pecking order.
“Not too many people get one past Kane, so the wicket obviously had a bit more turn than we expected”, he said.
Skipper Steve Smith has acknowledged the left-hander would be frustrated at missing out on today’s series-opening one-day global against New Zealand in Auckland.
“But I think from every fan in New Zealand’s point of view and I guess all the guys in the change room as well, this is certainly one we’ve been waiting for”. “He does need a hit going into a big Test series for us and he’s batting extremely well”.
It is not the first time this selection panel has made players bang the door down through weight of runs.
McCullum, however, said Sodhi was added to the New Zealand squad as the match is being played on the same wicket where Kane Williamson was beaten by the spin of Pakistan s Azhar Ali last Sunday.
Advertisement
New Zealand have yet to announce their match lineup but have called legspinner Ish Sodhi into their squad for Wednesday’s match.
