Despite being called up to the Australian one-day international squad, Usman Khawaja has not been named to play against New Zealand in the first match of the three-game series, with Shaun Marsh retaining his spot in the team.
“Shaun has been in the squad, he played well in Australia and I think he deserves the first opportunity, so he’s going to get that out here tomorrow,” Steve Smith said.
But it’s not all doom and gloom for Khawaja, with Smith confirming the in-form bat will get an opportunity during the three-match ODI series.
“He’ll play one of the (three ODI) games at least,” Smith said.
“He does need a hit going into what is a big Test series and he’s batting extremely well…
“No doubt he’d (Khawaja) be frustrated. He’s hitting the ball extremely well. But the one-day side is a tough side to break into.
“We’re the current world champions. We’ve been playing some very good one-day cricket and the batters have been scoring lots of runs. We scored 300 on every occasion in the recent one-day series (against India) at home.”
Kiwi captain Brendon McCullum said: “I was a little bit surprised about it (Khawaja’s omission) to be honest. He’s been the form batsman in the Australian summer, across all different forms of the game as well.
“He’s in some incredible touch. The guys who has replaces him, Shaun Marsh, is a very, very good player as well. We saw that when we played against them (Australia) in Adelaide.
“The thing about Australia is that they’ve got so much depth they can afford to have guys missing from their line-up but they’re going to be replaced by guys who are equally as strong.”
Joining Khawaja in the stands from Australia’s 14-man squad will be Scott Boland and rookie leg-spinner Adam Zampa, meaning Glenn Maxwell will be the side’s go-to spin option.
Australia
David Warner, Shaun Marsh, Steve Smith, George Bailey, Glenn Maxwell, Mitch Marsh, Matthew Wade, James Faulkner, John Hastings, Kane Richardson, Josh Hazlewood
fp11
Guest
He has been patient plenty!
Chris Gale Home Improvements
Guest
No after today. Thats 5 (could have been 6 if India held their nerve in Canberra) losses in a row...
fp11
Guest
Rubbish. You're confusing prejudice (against Khawaja) with with some vague "concept" that certain players are better suited for certain formats. In this case that doesn't hold water because Usman is better than S. Marsh regardless of the format. He's better than him here on Earth, and on the Moon and on Mars and in the deep blue sea.
Big Tom Bumpkin
Guest
Methink Roddy Marsh has something against Uzman Just saying
AdrianK
Guest
x2
AdrianK
Guest
In fairness, Maxwell almost always comes in with only a few overs to go in T20
Red Kev
Roar Guru
Not to mention Marsh got two half-centuries when in the ODI side for Warner. I don't understand why this is a difficult concept for people. At the start of the summer Khawaja was the preferred test batter and S.Marsh the preferred limited overs batter. Still true. The only development is that S.Marsh by virtue of his good performances when called up as injury cover is now knocking on the test door, and Khawaja by virtue of a great BBL is now knocking on the limited overs door. This is a good thing for Australian cricket. Steve Smith is dead on the money - current world champs, playing goid cricket, the side is hard to break into.
Don Freo
Guest
Exactly, Jo. Yet even stranger is the fact that the only reason Marsh is playing is because Ussie arrived in NZ late. Shaun was expected to play the Shield game between NSW and WA tomorrow...in Lincoln, NEW ZEALAND. He was only picked in the ODI side because Ussie was late. From The West Australian newspaper: "Marsh was set to be released to the Warriors tomorrow but will now open for Australia in the one-dayer in Auckland after Usman Khawaja’s late arrival in New Zealand meant he could not be considered for the first international of the tour." Lighten up people. Shaun scored 2 tons in the Matador and averaged 72. He'll do OK.
VivGilchrist
Guest
With no warm up matches before the Tests and Khawaja being a certain starter and Marsh not, I thought Ussie would have got the nod in the ODIs.
JoM
Roar Rookie
Going on the stats from the Matador Cup he is in that team. He finished second in runs scored only to Steve Smith so probably has more right to be in the team than some of the others that are there. Khawaja played only 3 games for 90 runs.
Chris Vincent
Roar Pro
Selectors seem to have taken a firm 'follow due process, pick to win the series' approach. Little odd given the test series, and World T20 in March, are much more important.
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
Surely you select the best possible team. Shaun Marsh is not in that team.
ajay
Guest
2017 champions trophy remember? What I can't understand is, he's mentally poor don't get me wrong khawaja is miles better and perhaps best odi player in Australia after bailey and smith.
Tana Mir
Roar Rookie
To be fair Ajay, leaving out Shaun would have been bold and somewhat unfair to Shaun. His record in ODIs has been good. Uzi just needs to be patient.
Tana Mir
Roar Rookie
Back to insanity Brett. I'm baffled Zampa is left out.
Brett McKay
Expert
Interesting that there's no room for Zampa. Isn't the point of taking him to NZ to have a look for the WT20?
Amith
Guest
Again Khawaja misses out. Really, to get into the Australian batting side, you have to come from NSW or have the surname Marsh. Khawaja is a decent player - I don't subscribe to the view that he is worlds best - but he is in the form of his life this season. Another dumb selection by our less than convincing selectors.
Craig Swanson
Guest
Ajay. Has CA even comprehended that this WC is being played in spin friendly India. Selecting flash harry's, show ponies, flat track bullies, call them what you will, on expected Indian turners is asking for trouble.
Craig Swanson
Guest
Anyone bothered to have a look at the T20 international figures of Maxwell. You would be surprised. I find them abysmal and baffled as to why he is seen as a certainty by most on this site. He has played 27 matches has one fifty @18.16 plus only 15 wickets. His ODI bowling record is even worse. The only justification I can see for his inclusion in the WC squad is that he has played a great deal of cricket in India in the IPL and knows the conditions.
ajay
Guest
shuan marsh playing all 3 formats seriously? Love his last 2 t20 innings run a ball and 3(7). luckiest player in the history of Australian cricket,What a joke.Unlucky khawaja