- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Australia pace bowler Mitchell Johnson will be rested from Sunday’s opening one-day international against England at the MCG.
Both sides must name their 15-man squads for next month’s World Cup by Wednesday and the decision to rest World Cup certainty Johnson gives fellow left-armer Doug Bollinger another chance to impress selectors.
It has been a disappointing summer for Bollinger. The NSW quick has battled injury, fitness and form woes and played only one Ashes Test.
Australia also included Xavier Doherty as their frontline spin option for Sunday’s game ahead of Nathan Hauritz, although both are well-placed to win spots in the World Cup squad.
“Our plan had always been to play Xavier Doherty in this game,” Cricket Australia’s selector-on-duty Greg Chappell said on Saturday.
“The (selection panel) continues to look closely at certain players as the deadline for ICC Cricket World Cup selection approaches.
“We spoke to Nathan Hauritz in the week and advised him that if selected, the first game he plays in this series would be … at Bellerive, Hobart (game two on January 21).”
Australia had named a 14-man squad for only the first ODI in the seven-match series against England, with a further squad expected to be announced on Tuesday for the remaining six games.
Acting skipper Michael Clarke says Sunday’s match will be a “very special” one as it marks the 40th anniversary of ODI cricket, which began on January 5, 1971 when Bill Lawry’s Australians beat Ray Illingworth’s England side by five wickets with 42 balls to spare.
Lawry’s team – including 1970s icons Ian Chappell, Greg Chappell and Doug Walters – will be presented to the crowd during the innings break on Sunday.
It’s believed wicketkeeper Rod Marsh is the only member of the 1971 side absent this weekend, because of overseas work commitments.
Not only are the No.1-ranked Australians determined to avenge their Ashes defeat with a strong performance in the ODI series, both teams will be determined to get their houses in order with a view to the World Cup on the sub-continent.
Clarke, who is acting skipper while Ricky Ponting nurses a broken finger, says the England series is the perfect way to build momentum before heading to the sub-continent.
Clarke says he doesn’t see any dramas in juggling the twin goals of beating England and preparing for a World Cup title defence.
“I don’t think it will compromise my captaincy or the team’s performance,” Clarke told a press conference on Saturday.
“It’s the last opportunity for players to be looked at before the World Cup selection.
“That will play a part in selection for this game. But our goal is to win every game we play and to definitely win this series.
“We’ve got a huge World Cup ahead of us and these seven games are pretty important to build momentum going into that World Cup.
“It’s a wonderful time for both teams with the World Cup not too far away now and I think it is special that 40 years (ago) this great form of the game started.”
Clarke, who struggled this summer in the Test series against England but is averaging 55.50 in the past year in ODIs, said he would take over the crucial No.3 batting spot in Ponting’s absence.
Australia team: Michael Clarke (capt), Shane Watson, Brad Haddin, David Hussey, Cameron White, Mike Hussey, Steve Smith, Brett Lee, Xavier Doherty, Doug Bollinger, Shaun Tait. 12th: Mitchell Johnson.
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.