Mitchell Owen has received his first ODI call-up following an impressive start in the T20I format, ahead of Australia’s series against South Africa next month in northern Australia. Also returning to the 50-over squad is fast bowler Lance Morris.
It has been announced that Travis Head and Josh Hazlewood are back on the T20I and ODI squads after being rested for the West Indies series. Matt Short has also returned after a side strain prevented him from playing in those T20Is. The ODI team will be led by Mitchell Marsh, while Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc will rest ahead of the home summer.
Playing a middle-order finishing role, Mitchell Owen scored 125 runs at 192.30 against the West Indies, including a half-century on debut. Last season, he smashed 149 off 69 balls for Tasmania in the One-Day Cup against South Australia.
Despite being dropped from the Caribbean Test team by head coach Andrew McDonald, Marnus Labuschagne retains his spot in the ODI squad.
As part of the team that defeated West Indies 5-0, Fraser-McGurk, Hardie, Connolly, and Bartlett will not be part of the T20I series. Bartlett, however, will play in the three One-Day Internationals against South Africa.
Fraser-McGurk played only one match as a replacement for the injured Matt Short. Connolly scored 13 and 0 over two innings and took one wicket, but made little impact. Hardie led Australia to victory in the final match to complete the sweep at the end of the series.
“As we build towards the T20 World Cup the flexibility and depth shown in the West Indies, outside of the obvious results, has been a huge positive. The flexibility within the batting order and ability of bowlers to bowl in different stages of the innings were particularly pleasing to see,” chair of selectors George Bailey said.
“Mitch Owen and Matt Kuhnemann making their respective debuts and the preparation and work done by Nathan Ellis to allow him to play all five matches were highlights.” he added.
A number of changes have been made to Australia’s ODI squad since the Champions Trophy in March, including Jake Fraser-McGurk, Cooper Connolly, Aaron Hardie, Sean Abbott, Tanveer Sangha, and Spencer Johnson who is injured. Following the retirement of Steven Smith and Glenn Maxwell, this will be the team’s first series in the format.
“The smaller squad for a home series, along with the return of Travis Head and Josh Hazlewood, see some players not part of the squad for this Top End series, but all remain in the frame moving forward and we feel the entire group embraced every opportunity,” Bailey said.
“We expect that to continue through this series, and the New Zealand and Indian series later this year, as we balance continued opportunities for players and the preparation for the Test summer.” he concluded.
In South Africa, Australia will play two T20Is in Darwin on August 10 and 12, followed by a final T20I in Cairns on August 16. The opening ODI will be held in Cairns on August 19, followed by two 50-over matches in Mackay on August 22 and 24.
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