Cricket Australia have announced the squad to play New Zealand for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy in a three-game one-day international series, with Nathan Lyon being dropped in favour of Adam Zampa, and no room for Usman Khawaja.
“We have selected Adam Zampa as the spinning option for this tour in place of Nathan Lyon,” said national selector Rod Marsh.
“We want Nathan to use the NSW versus West Australia Sheffield Shield match in New Zealand as preparation for the Test Series and this will give us a chance to have a good look at Adam ahead of the ICC World T20.
“Adam has certainly put forward a strong case for selection through good performances in the KFC Big Bash as well as the Matador Cup earlier in the season and we think he has thoroughly earned this opportunity.
Otherwise the 14-man squad is largely the same as that which contested the fifth and final ODI against India in Sydney on Saturday night.
That means there is no room in the squad for Khawaja, who scored 345 runs in four innings during the Big Bash League, as well three centuries and one half-century in five Test innings over the summer (his only low-scoring innings was 9*).
“We know one of the biggest challenges we will face in New Zealand is adapting to the change in conditions,” said Marsh. “It has been well documented that this is something we have struggled with in recent times and a major focus for this squad will be to reverse that trend.
“The New Zealand side will be very tough to beat in their home conditions. We know we will need to be at the top of our game if we want to be competitive.”
The squad
Steve Smith (c) NSW
David Warner (vc) NSW
George Bailey TAS
Scott Boland VIC
James Faulkner TAS
Aaron Finch VIC
John Hastings VIC
Josh Hazlewood NSW
Mitchell Marsh WA
Shaun Marsh WA
Glenn Maxwell VIC
Kane Richardson SA
Matthew Wade VIC
Adam Zampa SA
JoM
Roar Rookie
As you are implying the selectors are racist, then I assume you are also implying they are only racist for the short forms of the game? I could have sworn he was selected in the test team wasn't he?
Ramesh
Guest
If Khawaja was a white Australian he would have been definitely selected. Unfortunately he is the wrong colour skin wise. Australia is only for whites. This is what Khawaja must understand.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
"King" Khawaja was little moniker that his Queensland Team mates tagged him a couple of seasons back when he was getting plenty of scores between 50-70. Plenty of hits in the 60's was the punch line.
Andy Hill
Roar Pro
Fair point Craig and I reckon McKay can feel a little hard done by to be honest. I don't think there are many about that can put up a coherent argument for Boland being retained in the squad.
Don Freo
Guest
Just to drive that point home; In Matador where Marsh has averaged 65, Bailey averaged 24 and Finch 18. In BBL where Marsh averaged 72, Bailey excelled...averaging 60 and Finch, ok, averaged 49. Hmmm!
Don Freo
Guest
"Everybody else" is not suggesting that...just some.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Like everyone else, i'd probably replace S. Marsh with Khawaja and am also mystified that Scott Boland is in the team. We'd be better off taking Lyon along. The injury to Mitchell Starc has shown we've all of a sudden gone from having a luxury of very good fast bowlers to being very light on in the space of 12 months.
Don Freo
Guest
Age is never a valid argument when players are still young and fit. Voges, Hussey, Hodge, Tendulkar, Kallis...
Don Freo
Guest
What years are you looking at? Marsh is way ahead...except George has him covered in Shield this year (but Shaun is averaging 77 in tests this summer). 72 in BBL and 65 in Matador. You must have your head in another decade.
Craig Swanson
Guest
If both Maxwell and Head get a bowl in the T20 games I want to see Head outbowl him. Show the selectors that they made the right choice in picking him as a promising limited overs all rounder. When Maxwell fails with the bat over there Head will be waiting to pounce and take his world cup spot.
Craig Swanson
Guest
Khawaja is not the only player dropped after a handful of tests. A number of Australia's recent past greats were dropped at some stage early in their careers. Even The Don got dropped. This should not be painted as some sort of racist thing. Despite the fact Uzzie was born in Pakistan he is as Aussie as you or I.
Craig Swanson
Guest
I reckon most of our batsmen will struggle in Kiwi conditions. Their decks and climate are similar to England. We all know what happened there in the winter.The simple truth is our players get very little time playing on decks that offer swing and seam usually under overcast skies. This must change. CA has to be more proactive.
Craig Swanson
Guest
Whose economy rate in the BBL was not high? They were bowling on batting friendly roads as per usual. McKay did top the wicket taking tally though. Boland had I wicket for 255 runs from his four ODI games. So how good was his economy rate.
Craig Swanson
Guest
Ajay. Finch is not the only one in this side. These incumbents keep getting picked regardless of the playing conditions. Will CA ever wake up.
Craig Swanson
Guest
Khawaja is not the only player dropped after a handful of tests. A number of Australia's recent past greats were dropped at some stage early in their careers. Even The Don got dropped. This should not be painted as some sort of racist thing. Despite the fact Uzzie was born in Pakistan he is as Aussie as you or I.
Brendon the 1st
Guest
Shaun Marsh is ten months younger than George, you would think if it means that for George, it also means that for Marsh
Brendon the 1st
Guest
Both average more than him, have played more than him and both captained their country, but Marsh is better? Hmmm give it a rest Don. Both these players may not look as classical but mentally are far farr tougher than little cotton wool, Mr potential Marsh, and at a guess probably younger as well, which is why they are so much better limited overs cricketers than him, miles, miles better
Brendon the 1st
Guest
Poor old George Bailey.....you can't get rid of him, he's in great touch
ChrisB
Guest
Khawaja is simply a better, classier player than S marsh or Finch. He has to be in ahead of them. Somewhere, anywhere.... But agree with you (and others) on Boland. Well out of his depth. As for Wade, the less said the better. I mean you'd think Rod Marsh would be able to identify a decent keeper!
ChrisB
Guest
I'm starting to wonder if Waugh's glowing assessment of him was an indication of a selectoral differences of opinion on this. Maybe Marsh vetoed him?