Cricket Australia revealed the 13-player squad that will play in the forthcoming Test series against the West Indies.
Cricket Australia (CA) has revealed the squads for the upcoming Test and ODI matches against the West Indies scheduled from January to February.
The Test series kicks off at Adelaide Oval on January 17, serving as a crucial opportunity for Australia to fortify their position in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 standings following a recent clean sweep against Pakistan.
In the realm of red-ball cricket, Steve Smith will partner with Usman Khawaja in the opening slot, as the departure of David Warner left a vacancy. While Cameron Green and Smith were both contenders, the nod eventually went to the 34-year-old Smith.
Against the West Indies in a one-day international series next month, Australia will rest its powerful pace trio—Patrick Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc—following a recent development. A strategic plan to manage the workload of important people includes this approach.
Steve Smith is taking charge while the experienced pacers are out with an injury. In addition to resting all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, the selectors have unexpectedly left out Marcus Stoinis, who was instrumental in the team’s triumph in India in November.
Lance Morris, an uncapped fast bowler, is a notable addition to the 13-man roster, and his inclusion has sparked rumors that he may make his debut in the forthcoming series. Jhye Richardson has been called up to play one-day internationals for Australia after being out of the team since June 2022. They are joined on the squad by all-rounder Aaron Hardie, top-order hitter Matthew Short, and Nathan Ellis.
“There were plenty within the team who were pretty keen to go on record and say that they weren’t keen to do it,” said selector George Bailey.
“So it was refreshing that Steve had come forward and said he wanted it and it was something that we’d been chatting about in the background as a selection panel with the coaches as well.
“It’s selfless that someone who has had so much success in one position or a couple of positions in the middle order is open and willing and hungry to have a crack at something new and something different,” he further added.
Australia ODI squad:
Steve Smith (c), Travis Head (vc), Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson, Matt Short, Adam Zampa.
Australia Squad for the first Test:
Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc.
Series Schedule:
1st Test: January 17-21 – Adelaide Oval
2nd Test: January 25-29 – Brisbane Cricket Ground
1st ODI: February 2 – Melbourne Cricket Ground
2nd ODI: February 4 – Sydney Cricket Ground
3rd ODI: February 6 – Manuka Oval, Canberra
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