The Australian XI to face Pakistan at the Gabba on Friday will feature two new faces, with Chris Lynn and Billy Stanlake to make their One Day International debuts.
Lynn and Stanlake have been rewarded for their form in the Big Bash League while in-form Test batsman Usman Khawaja and 2016 ODI leading wicket-taker Adam Zampa have missed out on the side.
Victorian Glenn Maxwell returns to the XI after missing 13 straight ODIs and will bat at six in a strong Australian line-up.
Chris Lynn will come in at number four, and coach Darren Lehmann will be hoping he brings some of his trademark big hitting from the Big Bash to the Aussie side. Fellow batsman Travis Head said the totals Australia could score with Lynn in the side could be “scary.”
In something of a surprise, David Warner will be partnered by Head at the top of the order, with the South Australian skipper taking the place of the recently-dropped Aaron Finch, who was left out of the squad alongside former captain George Bailey.
Standing at a whopping 204cm, Stanlake will become Australia’s tallest ever international cricketer. He surpasses previous joint record-holders Brett Dorey, Bruce Reid and Peter George by a solitary centimetre.
Stanlake, whose pace and bounce has attracted plenty of praise during the Big Bash, will be joined by Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and all-rounder James Faulkner in a four-man pace attack. Josh Hazlewood, who was recently named the best pace bowler in Test cricket by the ICC, has been rested for the first ODI after a heavily workload during the first part if the summer.
Hazlewood will rejoin the squad for the second ODI in Melbourne.
Australia: David Warner, Travis Head, Steve Smith (c), Chris Lynn, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade, James Faulkner, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Billy Stanlake
The first match of the five-game ODI series will get underway at 2:20pm (AEDT) at the Gabba on Friday, and The Roar will have you covered for all your live score, commentary and highlight needs.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Making it up ya reckon. Righto.
Jake
Guest
Sounds more like you're making it up to be honest...
Scott Pryde
Expert
Hi Nudge, Can only think I remembered him from 2015 in that case.
Egbirt
Guest
Um I wouldn't have thought 5 an over was too bad in One Day cricket?
James Jackson
Guest
Haha. Why bring David up in such a positive thread SM?
Nudge
Guest
G'day Scott, Stanlake hasn't played domestic one day cricket since 2015 so I think you have him mixed up with someone else.
BurgyGreen
Guest
Yeah would love to see Ben Dunk or Tim Paine keeping. A destructive keeper-batsman will complete this side.
matth
Guest
Maxwell is not in the team to achieve a high average. Check out his strike rate. That is why he is in the team.
dan ced
Guest
I'm almost happy with this squad. Wade still sticks out as a zit on the face of the nation. Interested in seeing Junaid Khan, and any others that weren't in the test squad for Pakistan. I'm also obnoxiously hoping Klinger makes the T20 squad v Sri Lanka, after his shaky start to the shield season he seems back in the runs again with BBL, and his is a technique that should perform well in any format, any conditions.
dan ced
Guest
Head has never opened ODI's, he might be successful. Khawaja has and has been dropped multiple times, if I recall correctly. I know he's in shit hot form Koala.. but I don't see an issue giving a recent performer in ODI's an earlier bat.
Craig
Guest
I'm excited by the team picked. Warner, Head, Lynn, Maxwell and Marsh - some serious hitters in this side. I'm not saying they'll do it, but if a couple of these blokes get going there could be a seriously big score posted. I guess on the flip side, they could also fold like a deck chair under a fat bloke.
John
Guest
Personally I would have Khawaja in the team opening and Head in the middle order and leave Maxwell out. Head can bowl handy offies & to be honest I've never understood the selectors obsession with having Maxwell in the team. Faulkner has a higher batting average than Maxwell.
AREH
Roar Guru
True; but didn't he make a double-century opening for the Redbacks in the 2015 Matador Cup? Or was that from number 3? Edit: just saw Ronan's comment
spruce moose
Guest
I can imagine David Lord pondering the conflict in his mind right now "Stanlake in - yay. Maxwell in - sigh."
BurgyGreen
Guest
Something like that. The bonus for Wade is that he runs so many people out already, so when he gets Maxi no one will be able to tell whether or not it was on purpose.
jameswm
Roar Guru
If they really think Head is likely to do better than Khawaja opening in ODIs long term, then we really need new selectors.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Yeah, the left/right handed combination I guess...
jameswm
Roar Guru
Khawaja is the no brainer option for Finch's opening slot. Khawaja and Warner followed by Smith, Easy. Then the questions start until no.8-9 when it becomes easy again.
BurgyGreen
Guest
They probably want to make sure that Wade and Maxi get to bat together.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
lol - I like the 8th bowling option. Is a bit weird though. Khawaja sat out while Finchy and Bails faded. I woulda thought he needs as much hard comp as possible leading up to India.