Melbourne : Australia has announced a 13-man squad for the first three ODI’s against India. Pacer Joel Paris and Scott Boland have been included in the squad . All rounder Shane Watson was dropped by the selection panel headed by Rodney Marsh .
Seamer Kane Richardson, with eight ODI’s under his belt, has also been included with Josh Hazlewood, the sole member of Australia’s pace-bowling group that won the World Cup last year.
Fast bowlers James Pattinson has been rested along with the injured Peter Siddle and Mitchell Starc , who is still recovering from an ankle injury.
Captain Steve Smith , David Warner , Aaron Finch, Shaun Marsh and George Bailey form the core of Aussie batting line-up. Current Big Bash Twenty20 star Chris Lynn was surprisingly left out. No specialist spinners has been included in the squad for the first three games in Perth, Brisbane and Melbourne.
The five match ODI series will start on January 12 at the WACA in Perth.
All-rounder James Faulkner has been included in the squad after missing the recent series against England for disciplinary reasons.
Paris, Boland, Richardson, Marsh and wicketkeeper Matthew Wade were not a part of the victorious World Cup winning squad last year.
Paris, now 23, was a vital player of Western Australia’s Matador Cup-winning squad last summer, with 13 wickets at 12.92 while Scott performed well for Victoria this season .
“Scott has impressed the selection panel, having bowled well for Victoria this year,” said the selection chairman Rod Marsh. “He deserves this chance at the top level.” he added.
Australia ODI squad: Steve Smith (captain), David Warner, George Bailey, Scott Boland, Josh Hazlewood, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Mitch Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Joel Paris, Matthew Wade