Cricket Australia (CA) on October 14 announced their ODI squad for three-ODI series at home against Pakistan next month. The selectors have tried to select a full-strength side with some forced changes. 35-year-old all-rounder Marcus Stoinis who is without a central contract and played his last ODI in ODI World Cup 2023 has replaced an injured Cameron Green who is set to undergo surgery due to a stress fracture.
Star all-rounders Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head will not be available for the three-ODI series as they will be on paternity leave ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 at home. Alex Carey has been rested for the series too in order to prepare for the five-Test series against India starting on November 21 in Perth.
Skipper Patt Cummins and other senior players Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell have returned to the ODI squad after missing the series against England.
"This is our last ODI series before the Champions Trophy and the balance of the squad was focussed on that as well as continuing to focus on preparation of individuals for the upcoming Test summer," said chief selector George Bailey. "The one-day side had a great result in the UK particularly given illness and injury challenges. We view this is an opportunity to expand on that achievement in preparation for next February in Pakistan."
The ODI series is a chance for Jake Fraser-McGurk to make a case for the opening spot in the absence of Marsh and Head. Fraser-McGurk will open the innings alongside Matthew Short. Aaron Hardie is another fast-bowling all-rounder in the squad.
The ODI series will begin on November 4 at Melbourne Cricket Ground. The remaining two ODIs will be played on November 8 and 10 at Adelaide Oval and Perth Stadium respectively. The squad for the T20I series which will be missed by several senior players due to Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be announced later this month.
Australia ODI squad for three-ODI series against Pakistan
Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Cooper Connolly, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis (wk), Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
Turmoil in Pakistan
Meanwhile, Pakistan are yet to announce their ODI squad for the tour. Currently, they are yet to announce their new captain in limited-overs cricket after Babar Azam relinquished the role. Mohammad Rizwan and Shadab Khan are two main contenders for the role. In addition, they have dropped Babar alongside Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah for the second Test against England after a record-breaking defeat in Multan.
