Peter Siddle will make his return to international cricket after being named as one of four specialist bowlers in Australia’s XI for the first ODI versus India.
With Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc all rested for the ODIs against India, Siddle will line up alongside fellow quicks Jhye Richarson and Jason Behrendorff in the side’s bowling attack.
It will be 34-year-old’s first ODI match in more than eight years, having last played a one-dayer for the national side in November 2010 against Sri Lanka.
“It’s something I’d probably forgotten about really,” Siddle said.
“I never thought I’d get the opportunity to play one-day cricket for Australia again.
“So yeah I feel like a young kid getting this first opportunity, so it’s pretty nice to get that phone call and be around the squad and have the potential to play an ODI after a long time away.”
Nathan Lyon was named as the side’s lone specialist spinner, preferred over South Australian leggie Adam Zampa.
There’s something of as surprise in the batting order, with skipper Aaron Finch to open alongside Alex Carey, not Usman Khawaja. Khawaja had been expected to head to the top of the order following his recall to the ODI side, but selectors opted instead to put wicketkeeper Carey there instead.
With star opener David Warner almost certain to come back into the side once his suspension ends in a little under three months’ time, Khawaja has been given a chance to show off his first-drop credentials, the position where he’d most likely bat if selected for the World Cup.
Shaun Marsh and Peter Handscomb have been picked to bat at four and five respectively, while all-rounders Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell round out the rest of the recognised batsmen.
Australia’s XI to play India, first ODI
Aaron Finch (c)
Alex Carey (wk)
Usman Khawaja
Shaun Marsh
Peter Handscomb
Marcus Stoinis
Glenn Maxwell
Nathan Lyon
Peter Siddle
Jhye Richardson
Jason Behrendorff
VivGilchrist
Roar Rookie
Stanlake is way overrated
Matt H
Roar Guru
Given Carey is the Vice captain I’d say he comfortably has the inside running.
Matt H
Roar Guru
And then Maxwell gets criticized for only scoring 30 off 21 instead of 60 off 20, while the others get a pass mark for their sub 85 strike rates.
Matt H
Roar Guru
You’ve got NCN, although he missed out on this squad, Billy Stanlake and the three here, plus Tye as options. Not sure if any are better than the big three right now, although I see Stanlake and Behrendorff as the best of them.
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
Siddle was bowling beautifully in the Shield - but - the thing I wonder about - he's been the professional 12th man - will that have done him any favours? Certainly though - he is re-born in BBL format and bowls really smart and that's something Australia lacks even amongst the 'big 3' in the Tests.
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
Form is fickle - Finch did as well as anyone against the Indian line up in Perth - until he got whacked on his finger again...... However - it looks like since then he's lost the confidence that looked to be building. Cricket is a cruel game at times - - it also means he then missed the chance to play the less pace oriented India line up at the SCG and someone else will play against what looks to be a very much below standard Sri Lanka (I suspect both Marsh brothers would look world beaters if they got a game). A very good time for Burns and Renshaw to come in!! (the Tests).
IAP
Guest
I agree. He’s wasted down the order.
Aldo
Roar Rookie
And playing Maxwell below them in the order. I understand Finch keeping his place for now but not Marsh or Hanscombe. Maxwell should be in at 4 or 5 to shape the innings.
Andrew Mellor
Roar Rookie
https://www.bigbash.com.au/news/bbl-player-availability-stanlake-turner-marsh-zampa-strikers-scorchers/2019-01-11
anon
Roar Pro
I like that line up. Batting Maxwell at #7 (or #8 as they were against South Africa) is an absolute insult and shows they are going out of their way to insult him. This is a guy who has the best strike rate of all time in T20's and has a very good average. Wouldn't you want him potentially facing as many balls as possible. I'm not talking first drop. At least #4 or #5.
Leuco
Roar Rookie
Siddle????? This has to be a joke doesn’t it. A 34yr old bowler who hasn’t played for Aus in 8 years! Are things really that bad in Aus that we cant find a young fast bowler more than ten years younger than him. Why play someone that literally has no future in the team. Terrible Terrible Terrible selection. On the other hand, Maxwell at 7? That can’t possibly be correct.
Simoc
Guest
This is a side that is weak and going nowhere. Putting Siddle in the team tells you that. He's been great at T20 as most veterans are. The Poms flogged them and I figure India will to; even here at home for us. Maxwell needs to be given a role like 2nd or 3rd drop and not floating where he is required to hit out from ball one. He is way more talented than most of this lot. I'm sure Handscomb will look great for his 36 runs, and the selectors will be delighted. But our selectors dropped the ball a while back in this format and are relying on Smith and Warner to rescue their incompetence come World Cup time. But I do like Carey opening with Khawaja to follow. Carey looks organised and capable and if partnered with Warner would only have to turn the strike over initially. We're competing in the World Cup with the likes of Buttler and Hales who have been outstanding and its hard to see us not looking third rate in England come the World Cup, unless Warner, Smith do it all. It's also a format suited to M Marsh here and he doesn't get a look in. Far better that he didn't play tests and came in for ODI now.
Ken
Guest
When Siddle was at his peak, he was a bowler to be admired, if only for his willingness to work hard all day long, giving his best right up to the last ball of the day. Then he met some woman who convinced him to eat carrots and lettuce and he very quickly lost about 10kg of muscle and 10km/h in pace. He has never been the same since, though I don't doubt his work ethic still, he is not the threatening bowler he once was.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Yes, one of them.
IAP
Guest
Our whole structure and strategy is 10 years out of date. The Poms will flog is at the World Cup if our team is anything like this. One day cricket is now a 50 over version of 20-20. We need fire power from top to bottom. My team for this series would be: Finch Short Lynn Maxwell Stoinis Carey M Marsh Cummins Pattinson Agar Lyon Then my team for the World Cup would be: Finch Warner Lynn Smith Maxwell Carey Stoinis Cummins Pattinson Agar Lyon Power all the way through, with Carey and Maxwell to steady on the off chance that Smith doesn’t make runs.
Diamond Jackie
Roar Rookie
Except ... umm ... someone has to keep wickets.
Diamond Jackie
Roar Rookie
Pretty close I reckon.
El Loco
Roar Rookie
Asking honestly, must the pace attack be Starc, Hazlewood, Cummins? We seem to have lacked anyone who really worries batsmen for a while, and I don't mean fearing for their head, I mean where their next scoring opportunity is coming from. As a group I don't think these guys are feared in ODIs, and I don't see how they'll get better being rested from the format.
IAP
Guest
If no one watches a game of cricket, does anyone really care?
mrrexdog
Roar Guru
I think Handscomb and Carey are competing for the same position and one will be squeezed out when Smith and Warner come back.