Australia’s selectors have rested fast bowler Mitchell from the final three one day international matches against South Africa, adding fellow left arm quick Mitchell Starc and young gun Pat Cummins as cover.
Johnson was threatening in both matches at the WACA, capturing three wickets, including opener Hashim Amla twice. Amla will be a relieved man with the series moving to the more docile wicket of Manuka Oval in Canberra on Wednesday.
21-year-old Cummins made his returne to international cricket in the Twenty20 series against South Africa, against whom he famously captured seven wickets in his maiden Test match.
If he is included in the side, it will be Cummins’ first one dayer for Australia since 2012.
Starc last played in a Sheffield Shield game for NSW upon returning from the UAE, where he played the second Test match for Australia.
This follows Xavier Doherty’s inclusion in the squad yesterday. The Aussies didn’t have a specialist spinner in the side for the opening two games at the bouncy WACA, but it looks as though the left arm spinner is being given a chance to cement a spot in the World Cup XI to play in February next year. Nathan Lyon was the preferred option in the limited overs games against Pakistan in the UAE in October.
James Faulkner is also set to be included in the squad, with Michael Clarke ruled out of all the remaining games in the series.
What do you think Roarers? Is this the right move by the Aussie selectors?
Australian squad for remaining three ODIs against South Africa
George Bailey (c) – TAS
Nathan Coulter-Nile – WA
Pat Cummins – NSW
Xavier Doherty – TAS
James Faulkner – TAS
Aaron Finch – VIC
Josh Hazlewood – NSW
Mitchell Marsh – WA
Glenn Maxwell – VIC
Kane Richardson – SA
Steve Smith – NSW
Mitchell Starc – NSW
Matthew Wade – VIC
David Warner – NSW
Shane Watson – NSW
Don Freo
Guest
He fumbles.
Ross Fleming
Roar Rookie
We are blessed to have 2 fantastic allrounders in MM and JF in the squad
Ross Fleming
Roar Rookie
Mate the bulls got to the semi finals and lost because they were missing Khawaja, they were also 2nd on the table and champions in the OD stuff for hte last 2 years.
Ross Fleming
Roar Rookie
I am ok with most of the changes to the ODI squad with the exception that Khawaja should have been bought in. With so much cricket left to be played from now on untll the 2015 world cup it is only appropriate that Johnson is rested and Cummins, Faulkner, Starc and Doherty who are also expected to make it into the 15 man squad are given the chance to make their appearance in the rest of the ODI series against South Africa. At the same time it is wise that the workload is equally distributed among the fast bowlers lest they suffer an injury before the world cup.
Quitwhinging
Guest
Where has he failed in this series? He has taken everything that has come his way. Now I hope he's Haddin's cover in the test squad just to see the people whinge about it.
The runt
Guest
After looking at the stats on cric info which would be the better long term allrounder in ODIs not to mention tests Marsh or Faulkner, the suprising bit to me was JF is only a year older played about the same amount of games has a better batting average better bowling average a lot more wickets the only thing against him was he hasnt as yet scored a FC century and MM has a double ton. So basically JF is a bowling AR and MM a batting AR any thoughts, to me JF should be in the side for WC as one of the first picked.
Larney
Guest
I agree. Wade is doing well so far.
Don Freo
Guest
Most things are a mystery to you SS. What is that Bradman /McGrath stuff? Makes no sense. You've mentioned 16 cricketers but forgot to join up your thoughts. I know people name cricketers on this site but most make some sort of comment about them.
Don Freo
Guest
I'm with you Khan. Good selectors and good leadership.
Don Freo
Guest
Every other keeper is great, Wade is the exception...is that what you mean by exceptional? Fumbles most returns that require him to bend his knees.
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
Very surprised that WA,who won the Matador, might only have one player in the squad to play at Manuka Behrendorff is rested from 4 day duties Give him a game - he got his wickets at 16.3 per. Coulter-Nile and Paris were the only ones better Superior range to Cummins For all that Khawaja, Hartley and Burns made lots of runs, it didn't win Qld the competition. Maybe those runs weren't as valuable in the selectors' eyes as was the contribution of those chosen instead. After all you have to have the obligatory 5 from NSW and 3 from Tassie
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
UTK deserves a go, once fit, definitely. But no Australian side at the moment has a solid top 7...
13th Man
Guest
Should have dropped maxwell for white
Ross Fleming
Roar Rookie
Khawaja clearly desrerves the first shot at coming in. Just read a article in the smh and saw some interesting figures. I agree that White is a very good ODI player and his figures are impressive in the last 2 seasons. White has scored 741 runs at an average of 67.36 for Victoria. The only player to have exceeded that tally is Usman Khawaja with 949 at 73 and he is the best domestic batsman in tems of sheer runs in the last 2 years. So really the batsman most hard done by here is Khawaja who clearly deserves a go. However our top 7 is very solid at the moment and really the only way the likes of a Khawaja who deserves to come in the most is if there is a injury otherwise the top 7 looks veryimpressive and you can understaqnd why the selectors haven't changed the lineup.
Shortfineleg
Guest
You are easily pleased Armchair. What did Wadey get for his runs? 35 and 19. Whoop de freaking do. How did Wadey do in recent Matador Cup series. 50 over comp, a perfect mirror of current form? Wadey 101 runs at 16!!! Much better than alternatives: Dunk - 403 at 67 Paine - 249 at 49 Hartley - 403 at 57
Dan Ced
Guest
It's not that he has done anything wrong in the 2 games.. HE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN PICKED. HE IS A LIABILITY AND PROVEN FAILURE, many times over!
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
All the Aussies will have an easeir time of it at Manuka. Perfect for Maxwell to make his fans happy again.
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
Good points mate. UTK is injured but, broken thumb.
Vish
Guest
Really surprised at this selections Warner should be told to be more responsible after gettin a start Finch is jus too reckless . Jus throwing his away. He got all his good runs on docile pitches and too small grounds.Would love to see him apply himself more.He s running a lot better but need more for him. He jus squeezes into the team Watson seems to have tightened a bit but still plays the dab shot to third man to straight deliveries. tat z too risky. And he still s susceptible to the LBW. Smith is the right man at 4. He can play the spinners well. Bailey s struggling but letz c if he can find some form. Maxwell is jus woefully struggling . Needs to show more fight. Wade has done ok iin his 2 outings. But is he goin to the WC. Dunk would hav been better opening with Warner. Starc can replace Johnson if needed . Cummins s good and we needs to see how his fitness levels are. I would have played Cummins Counternile and Hazlewood. Hazelwood was good and hitting the pitch hard. Counternile s very good and must go to the WC O keefe could hv been picked instead of Doherty
Armchair Expert
Guest
I have to agree with QW, Wade's done nothing wrong in the 2 Perth ODIs with the gloves and has made handy runs in both games.