Australia announce squad for India tour

Australia announce squad for India tour: Sportsrush presents before you Australia’s full squad for the upcoming tour of India.

Australia have announced their limited-overs squad for their upcoming tour of India. It is worth mentioning that the selectors have named a same set of players for both the T20I and ODI squad. Perhaps, it is an attempt to give the same players more game-time ahead of the ICC Cricket World cup 2019.

The tour comprises of a couple of T20Is and five ODIs, which will be played from February 24 to March 13.

Fast bowler Mitchell Starc, who silenced the critics by registering his second 10-wicket haul in the second Test against Sri Lanka, will continue to sit out of the limited-overs formats. While he was rested during the home series against India, he has been ruled out this time due to a pectoral muscle injury.

“Unfortunately, scans have revealed that Mitchell Starc sustained a substantial tear to his left pec muscle while bowling on the final day of the Test match in Canberra. This means he will be unavailable for the tour of India, but we will instead target a return to play for the ODI series against Pakistan in the UAE in March,” national selector Trevor Hohns was quoted as saying.

Among the other fast bowlers, the duo of Peter Siddle and Billy Stanlake have been dropped following their below part performance in the home series against the same opposition.

Kane Richardson, whose 22 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 13.77, an economy rate of 7.07 and a strike rate of 11.6 make him the highest wicket-taker in the ongoing season of the Big Bash League at this point in time, has earned a comeback into the national side. The 27-year old fast bowler had last played for Australia during their tour of England last year.

“Kane [Richardson] has been in outstanding form over the summer, including his recent performances in the BBL. Kane not only has experience playing ODI cricket for Australia, but he’s also performed well for his country when given the opportunity,” Hohns said about Richardson.

The selectors have also called-up Test vice-captain Pat Cummins. Apparently, he will also share the deputy duties with wicket-keeper batsman Alex Carey.

Other than Richardson and Cummins, Perth Scorchers’ Nathan Coulter-Nile has also been called-up for the tour. His Scorchers’ teammate Ashton Turner, who had provided cover for all-rounder Mitchell Marsh recently, has also been included into the side. “Nathan Coulter-Nile provides us with another quality bowling option, he brings good energy in the field and can also score runs in high-pressure situations,” Horns added.

Shaun Marsh, who has been in sublime touch (640 runs in 10 matches at an average of 64 and a strike rate of 97.70 including four centuries and a half-century) in the ODIs since the England tour last year, is most likely to miss the first two ODIs. The 35-year old southpaw will join the tour after the birth of his second child and recovery from a hamstring injury picked up during the BBL.

Australia announce squad for India tour

Aaron Finch (capt), Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Ashton Turner, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Lyon, Adam Zampa, D’Arcy Short (as cover for Shaun Marsh)