Australia announce Playing XI for Melbourne ODI: Sportsrush presents before you Australia’s playing XI for the third ODI vs India.
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Australia have made two changes to their playing XI for the series-deciding third ODI against India to be played at Melbourne tomorrow. After failing to restrict India under 299 at Adelaide, Australia have recalled fast bowler Billy Stanlake and leg-spinner Adam Zampa.
It will be the first time when both the bowlers will be taking field in the ODI series. Fast bowler Kane Richardson has also been called-up as a cover. They have come at the expense of fast bowlers Jason Behrendorff and off-spinner Nathan Lyon.
While Behrendorff has been ruled out with back soreness, Lyon paid the price of bowling 20 wicket-less overs across two matches. Despite him finishing the Test series as the joint-highest wicket-taker, Lyon has been dropped after only a couple of chances.
“I think he’s been really impressive. Obviously not getting a wicket, he’d have liked a bit more return for that. When he keeps bowling that well, he will get rewarded eventually,” Australia captain Aaron Finch was quoted as saying before the announcement of the final XI.
Australia haven’t made a single change in their batting line-up after them posting 288-5 and 298-9 in the two ODIs respectively. Regardless of his individual form with the bat, Finch claimed the batting unit to be a ‘major positive’ in this series.
With the series level at 1-1, the hosts would be desperately wanting to win the third ODI to register their first series win since beating Pakistan (4-1) at home two years ago. Aware about the same, Finch said that winning the series is the team’s focus.
“It’s been a while since we’ve won a series. There’s been a lot of improvement and a lot to be proud of so far. But winning the series is the focus,” he added.
