Why is Aaron Finch not playing today’s 1st ODI between West Indies and Australia in Barbados?

Aaron Finch not playing: Australia have included as many as three debutants to their Playing XI for the first ODI in Barbados.

During the first ODI of the ongoing Australia’s tour of West Indies in Barbados, Australia stand-in captain Alex Carey has won the toss and chose to bat. Playing his 43rd ODI, Carey has become the 26th cricketer to lead Australia in ODIs.

“We are gonna bat first. The wicket looks quite nice, looking forward to get few of the new faces in early. It’s a great privilege [to captain Australia], something I am really excited to do today. Very proud and really excited,” Carey told Flow Sports at the toss.

Carey, who was Australia’s co vice-captain at one point in time, was subsequently demoted to be a wicket-keeper batsman. However, in vice-captain Pat Cummins’ absence, Australia decided to hand the reigns to the 29-year old player.

Why is Aaron Finch not playing today’s 1st ODI vs West Indies?

It is worth mentioning that regular captain Aaron Finch was ruled out of the first ODI on the eve of the match. Finch, 34, had aggravated a knee injury during the third T20I in St Lucia.

Among other major news, the visitors have handed ODI debuts to batsmen Ben McDermott and Josh Philippe and fast bowler Wes Agar. While McDermott and Philippe have represented Australia in 14 and nine T20Is in the past, Agar is playing his first international match at the Kensington Oval.

For West Indies, regular captain Kieron Pollard has returned after missing the five-match T20I series due to an injury. “Body is good. Let’s see how it goes today. We have done fairly decent in one-day cricket. We have got a combination that’s been working for us. Hopefully we can continue to execute our skills. I might have batted first as well,” Pollard told Flow Sports at the toss.