14-member Australian squad revealed for Pakistan ODIs
Cricket Australia has announced a 14-player squad for the upcoming three-match One Day International (ODI) series against Pakistan, starting on November 4 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
With both Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head missing the series due to paternity leave, Pat Cummins is back as captain. Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matt Short have been selected as openers, according to a statement by the board on Monday.
Pakistan will play three ODIs against Australia, followed by a three-match T20I series from November 14 to 18. After the first ODI, the second and third games will take place on November 8 at Adelaide Oval and on November 10 at Perth Stadium.
Australia’s chief selector, George Bailey, said this is their final ODI series before the Champions Trophy in Pakistan next year. He explained that the squad was chosen to help prepare for both that tournament and the upcoming Test series this summer.
He also added that this is a good chance to build on their success, as they look ahead to next February’s Champions Trophy.
Besides Marsh and Head, Cameron Green is also missing out. The 25-year-old all-rounder is having surgery for a back injury that will keep him out for six months, Cricket Australia confirmed.
Pat Cummins, who rested during Australia’s white-ball tour of England and Scotland, will captain the team again, for the first time since leading them to victory in the 2023 World Cup.
The squad for the T20I series will be announced later.
Here’s the squad: Pat Cummins (captain), Sean Abbott, Cooper Connolly, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, and Adam Zampa.
