Australia will be desperate to get back to winning ways when they take on India in the first ODI of the three ODIs on Saturday at the Sydney Cricket Ground. India will be brimming with confidence after their clinical show in the Test series where they registered a historic triumph. The win was India’s first on the Australian soil. And with the momentum on their side, India will be looking to continue their fine run in white-ball cricket too.
The beleaguered Australian side, on the other hand, will be hoping that their fortunes change as they named a new-looking side for the series-opener. The highlight of the playing eleven was the inclusion of veteran pacer Peter Siddle. The right-arm pacer will be playing his first ODI since November 2010.
Australia have named three specialist pacers and two allrounders in their playing eleven. Along with Siddle, Jhye Richardson and Jason Behrendorff will take care of the pace-bowling department. Australia will also have the services of medium-pace-bowling allrounder Marcus Stoinis. Test spin spearhead Nathan Lyon will lead the spin attack while Glenn Maxwell can also make a mark with his part-time off-break.
“For Sidds to go away and work on the skills that he’s brought to the table over the last couple of years in Big Bash cricket is outstanding,” Finch said. “He well and truly deserves his spot. Any tour you go on, Sidds is one of the first picked I would think for what he brings to the team and the skill set he brings.
Incumbent Finch will open the innings alongside wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey. The two will be followed by Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh and Peter Handscomb. This will be the first time, Carey will be opening the innings in an ODI. The wicketkeeper, who has opened twice in T20Is, has only batted at No. 5 or lower in his 6-match ODI career.
Speaking about his opening partner, Finch said: “It’s just an opportunity to see Alex play in a position he’s done quite a bit in Big Bash and one-day cricket. It’s a position he’s performed really well with in the last couple of years. He’s been shuffled around the order a bit in the last little while … and he’ll get a good opportunity up there.”
Australia XI for 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.