Australia have named their squad for the upcoming ODI series against England on Wednesday morning, with the startling omission of all-rounder Glenn Maxwell headlining the news.
Maxwell has been in superb form at Sheffield Shield level after being left out of the Test team, but he has been overlooked for the ODI squad as well in what is a move sure to shock a vast majority.
The selectors have got most of their calls right this summer though, with Mitchell Marsh being selected ahead of Maxwell at six in the batting order for the Perth Test. He went on to score 181 before batting for two sessions in Melbourne to save the fourth Test alongside captain Steve Smith.
Marsh will retain his spot for the ODI series alongside the re-called Chris Lynn, who has made his return to the Big Bash League after a shoulder injury rubbed him out of the game for the better part of a year.
National selector Trevor Hohns said consistency was a big issue in not picking Maxwell.
“No-one is in any doubt about Glenn’s ability or his potential to produce match-winning contributions with the bat. What we have wanted from him is more consistency but in his past 20 matches in this format he has averaged 22 and we need more than that from a player in the side’s batting engine room,” Said Hohns.
“Glenn is still absolutely in our thoughts but for this series we have decided to look again at Chris Lynn, who is now back playing once more after the shoulder injury that hampered him when we picked him against Pakistan in this format 12 months ago.
“He has been one of the most feared players at domestic level in limited-overs cricket in the past couple of years and we want to see if he can convert that domestic form to the international stage.”
Steve Smith and David Warner have both been selected despite a demanding summer schedule, as have Australia’s first choice pace attack of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins.
It’s expected the three quicks will be given a rest at some point during the series with a tour of South Africa ahead.
Back up in the squad will be provided by Western Australian duo Andrew Tye and Jhye Richardson, both of whom have started the Big Bash in excellent form.
Tim Paine will wear the gloves with Matthew Wade left out of the squad, while Adam Zampa will again take the spin spot in limited overs cricket.
Aaron Finch has been retained at the top of the order.
Hohns said the squad was built with an eye to the upcoming Cricket World Cup in 2019.
“With our defence of the ICC Cricket World Cup just 17 months away, we are seeking to get a squad in place that can form the basis of the line-up for that campaign and at the same time regain ground in the ODI Rankings, given we have slipped from the number one position over the past 12 months,” Said Hohns.
“There will still be further opportunities for players to force their way into the reckoning for the squad to go to England and Wales in 2019 but the sooner we can settle on our best combination and get them playing together and in form on a regular basis then the better our chances will be of retaining the trophy we won at home in 2015.”
Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Chris Lynn, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa
1st ODI: Sunday, January 14 at Melbourne Cricket Ground (2:20pm AEDT)
2nd ODI: Friday, January 19 at Gabba, Brisbane (2:20pm AEDT)
3rd ODI: Sunday, January 21 at Sydney Cricket Ground (2:20pm AEDT)
4th ODI: Friday, January 26 at Adelaide Oval (2:20pm AEDT)
5th ODI: Sunday, January 28 at Perth Stadium (2:20pm AEDT)
Don Freo
Guest
Pre-empting those like you who have not worked out the joy of sport.
Alan
Guest
Ah Don, correcting typo's? You really don't have to bother, only a buttwipe would attack you because of a typo. Oh wait, that's right...
Matt P
Roar Rookie
Where did you get that impression from? Straight to the strawmen I see. No, it should be Marsh. Daylight between his and Finch's performances this summer.
Adam
Guest
There's at least 10 more were marsh is at 3 and done nothing while finch got another 100 finch has got 5 more 100s in only 30 more matches marsh not good conversion rate,and can bowl when he has to his economy rate is under 5 and much better in the field and finch loves batting against India south Africa and England the three best teams average of around and above 45 and he loves batting in India and England shaun marsh I bet doesn't go as good against them teams in away countries.
Don Freo
Guest
Not bad...you went from 30 to 20 to 9 times they batted together. Marsh has the better average in ODI despite that.
Adam
Guest
So who would you want to open probably burns Been there and he was terrible.
Matt P
Roar Rookie
So when we fail to chase achievable targets, that's the bowlers' fault?
Adam
Guest
There is only 9 but definitely take finch.
Adam
Guest
Them loses come down to having a 2 or 3rd string bowling attacks.
Adam
Guest
Here don. Finch 148-114 marsh 151-151 Partnership 246 Finch 45-45. Marsh 0-4 Partnership 0 Finch 0-1. Marsh 25-40 Partnership 1 Finch 108-111. Marsh 15-17 Partnership 46 Finch 7-16. Marsh 36-52 Partnership 14 Finch 32-32. Marsh 45-48 Partnership 76 Finch 71-81. Marsh 71-84 Partnership 145 Finch 21-23. Marsh 62-73 Partnership 48 Finch 56-64. Marsh 22-22 Partnership 44 Took some effort getting this
Don Freo
Guest
Just checked their ODI averages. Marsh 38...Finch 36. Both ok. Doesn't seem like Finch has comprehensively "outdone" Marsh.
Don Freo
Guest
List their partnerships and relative scores. This would be an interesting comparison.
Matt P
Roar Rookie
Since his good series in India, Finch has been average in the JLT Cup and just about useless in the Shield and BBL. Along with his meh series against NZ before that. He's hardly been in good form recently. He's not the only one. Head's been inconsistent at best this summer, Zampa has a very average ODI record of late, Tye's had plenty of chances at international level and failed. Even Warner hasn't been all that flash of late outside of the Tests. Or do you think all our losses were solely due to one player?
Adam
Guest
I'm correct I no they have opened together plenty of times.I'm not sure we're Warner and Watson were but at least 20 times mate.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Right up the very top. Button marked 'Join the Roar'
Don Freo
Guest
Responsibility
Don Freo
Guest
I'd have to know what that is and then know how to do it. I'd have thought people on a cricket discussion site would just want to talk cricket. What kind of a life do they have if their motive is something else? Poor things.
Paul D
Roar Guru
You could always create an account with an avatar Don, like everyone else has. Then you can't be impersonated.
Adam
Guest
Matt you sound like you don't watch much cricket maybe because you don't have foxtel you can only watch channel 9 cricket.finch got 124,94 and 32 average of 83 that's been mentioned pleny of times on here finch is the best choice in the country sick of people bagging him he'll have a great series put Money he'll at least score 220 runs.
Don Freo
Guest
Ah...claiming reslonsibility?