Perth : Australian selectors have decided to rest their ace right-arm fast bowler Josh Hazlewood during the five-match One-Day series against India. The series gets underway on January 12 with the first ODI set to be played at the Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA) Ground in Perth. Hazlewood took part in Australia’s recent test matches against the visiting New Zealand and West Indies side .
Meanwhile Australia opener David Warner is likely to miss a few matches in the upcoming limited overs series against India as his wife is due with the couple’s second child.
According to Australian newspaper Daily Telegraph: “Warner is flying to Perth this morning ahead of Australia’s series-opening clash against India at the WACA on January 12. At this point it’s anticipated Warner will play that match and the second fixture in Brisbane on the 15th, before potentially resting the rest of the campaign when his newborn arrives.”
The Indian team had a long net session at the WACA . The visitors will play two matches against BBL side Perth Scorchers . The first match will be a T20 one . Both these practice matches will give captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Team Director Ravi Shastri a chance to experiment on the possible first XI combinations along with the batting order. With the match not having an official tag, all the players of the Indian team will get a chance to play.
For Team India , the key area would be to find Suresh Raina’s replacement .It will be a toss up among Manish Pandey and Gurkeerat Singh Mann . While Pandey has played a solitary ODI against Zimbabwe scoring 71 while Gurkeerat, who has been with the team throughout the home series against South Africa is yet to make his India debut .