Debutants will fill the top three batting spots for Australia in Friday’s one-day international (ODI) series-opener against Sri Lanka at the MCG.
Acting captain George Bailey confirmed on Thursday that Victoria’s Aaron Finch and Test No.3 Phil Hughes will open the batting, with stylish NSW left-hander Usman Khawaja to bat at first drop.
Bailey, who has only 13 ODIs to his name, will come in at No.4 in an inexperienced batting line-up that also includes four-game allrounder Glenn Maxwell.
David Hussey and Brad Haddin will add some experience to the middle order.
The selectors resisted naming a fourth debutant, leaving Queensland quick Ben Cutting out of the bowling attack.
It leaves Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and Clint McKay to fill the pace spots with Xavier Doherty the specialist spinner, supported by Maxwell and Hussey.
Team: George Bailey (capt), Aaron Finch, Phil Hughes, Usman Khawaja, David Hussey, Glenn Maxwell, Brad Haddin, Clint McKay, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Xavier Doherty, Steve Smith (12th man).
Sanjay
Guest
Well done selectors for getting the batting order right, Khawaja is a long term 3 and Finch will make the opening slot his
Red Kev
Guest
I think Australia might struggle to chase, but I would like to see Australia setting a target just to get an idea of the Finch-Hughes-Khawaja-Bailey top order.
Roger
Guest
I am the first to say that Mike Hussey should have played but keep in mind that selectors decided to pick David Hussey instead as he will give us 1-2 years of good cricket. I am a big fan of Finch and Khawaja both of whom have batted very well in the domestic one dayers. NSW didn't give Khwaaja much of a chance in the Ryobi cup but under boof he has really excelled and become much more aggressive. Will be a tough match tomorrow because they are a very good team in the shorter format.