NEW DELHI: Cricket Australia revealed its 13-member ODI squad to face West Indies, featuring notable exclusions and inclusions.
Glenn Maxwell will be rested, while Jhye Richardson has been ruled out due to injury. Exciting young batter Jake Fraser-McGurk and uncapped speedster Xavier Bartlett have earned call-ups to the squad.
Fraser-McGurk, recognized as one of Australia's most promising batters, joins the ODI squad after showcasing his talent with a world-record 29-ball century in the Marsh Cup earlier this season. The 21-year-old, currently playing for Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League (BBL), recently scored a maiden first-class century and accumulated 257 runs with an impressive strike rate of 158.64.
Cricket Australia clarified that Glenn Maxwell's exclusion is part of a workload management strategy ahead of upcoming T20Is against West Indies and New Zealand.
With David Warner's retirement, Matt Short is expected to open for Australia, and Lance Morris is poised to make his international debut.
The three-match ODI series against West Indies is scheduled from February 2 to February 6, with matches taking place in Brisbane, Sydney, and Canberra, respectively.
Notable absentees from the pace department include Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood, who are rested for the ODIs.
In the absence of Cummins, star batter Steven Smith will lead the Australian side. Additionally, all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has also been rested for the 50-over series.
Australia's ODI squad against West Indies: Steven Smith (C), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Lance Morris, Matt Short, Adam Zampa.
(With inputs from ANI)
