Internet Desk : Cricket Australia’s National Selection Panel (NSP) has named a 13-man squad for matches four and five of the Victoria Bitter ODI Series against India, in Canberra (20 January) and Sydney (23 January).
The squad features two changes from the line-up on duty at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday, with David Warner returning in place of Usman Khawaja after missing matches two and three because of the birth of his second child, while off-spinner Nathan Lyon replaces Joel Paris.
The squad is:
Steve Smith (c),David Warner (vc),George Bailey,Scott Boland ,James Faulkner ,AaronFinch ,John Hastings,Nathan Lyon ,Mitchell Marsh ,Shaun Marsh ,Glenn Maxwell,Kane Richardson and Matthew Wade
The NSP has also named a 17-man squad for the KFC Twenty20 International Series against India in Adelaide (26 January), Melbourne (29 January) and Sydney (31 January).
KFC Twenty20 squad :
Aaron Finch (c) ,Scott Boland ,Cameron Boyce, James Faulkner, John Hastings ,Travis Head, Nathan Lyon ,Chris Lynn ,Glenn Maxwell, Shaun Marsh , Kane Richardson , Steve Smit ,Shaun Tait ,Andrew Tye ,Matthew Wade ,David Warner and Shane Watson
Steve Smith and David Warner will only feature in the first KFC T20I before sitting out the two matches that follow as they both prepare for the first ODI of the Qantas Tour of New Zealand that takes place in Auckland on 3 February.
Commenting on the selections, National Selector Rodney Marsh said: “We are delighted to welcome back David Warner for the remaining matches of the Victoria Bitter ODI Series following his absence on paternity leave for games two and three.
“Our choice of 17 for the KFC T20Is gives us a chance to look at some options ahead of the ICC World Twenty20 in India.”
On the selection of Shane Watson , Rod Marsh commented , “Shane Watson has earned his recall to Australian colours through a combination of his experience – especially in short-form cricket – the all-round package he offers and the fact he is bang in form at the moment, having put performances on the board for the Sydney Thunder.”
Surprisingly George Bailey and Mitchell Marsh do not find a place in the 17 member T20 squad . Speaking on their exclusion from the squad , Rod Marsh made it clear , “Sadly we could not find places for George Bailey and Mitchell Marsh in the Twenty20 International squad but for both of them, and for others who have missed out on places in that line-up, the door is certainly not closed for selection for the ICC World Twenty20.
“We know what both those players are capable of, and both have significant experience of playing Twenty20 cricket in India where the ICC World Twenty20 takes place, but we want them to continue to press their cases for inclusion while we take this opportunity to look at other contenders.”