Glenn Maxwell will play his first ODI in seven months when he takes the field at the Gabba in the first ODI against Pakistan on January 13. The all-rounder was in the squad for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy played last month but didn’t get to play a single game.
On the other hand, Chris Lynn and Billy Stanlake have been handed their debut ODI cap, which makes them 217th and 218th player to represent Australia in this format of the game. Speaking on Lynn’s inclusion in the squad, captain Steven Smith said the in-form batsman has the licence to play his own way, “He’s got a licence to play the way he wants to play,” Smith said.
“But 50 overs is a long time so you’ve also got be a bit smarter with the way you play, but he’s got some freedom to go out and play nice and positively.
“He’s been a bit stiff and sore in the last couple of days but he’s confident he’ll be able to play and do well.
“He’s been in red hot form and hopefully he can bring that to the international stage.
“I’ve watched him in the nets in the last couple of days and he’s hit the ball hard and well so hopefully he can do the same for us.”
Lynn has played five T20Is for Australia in past and it’s his current form in the current Big Bash League season that his brought him back in the frame. Billy Stanlake’s debut comes as a surprise as the pacer has been called at the expense of Adam Zampa but the skipper hopes to reap benefits from his presence in the squad.
Usman Khawaja and Adam Zampa have been left out which means that Travis Head will be opening the innings alongside David Warner. Zampa’s exclusion will put additional pressure on Maxwell and Head to perform the spin duties as well.
“It was a tough call,” Smith said on leaving out Khawaja.
“I think looking around the squad, Maxwell was in the last group and it was good to get him into the line-up.
“And Travis Head played very well in the last series and we’ve seen him play very well at the top of the order in the Matador Cup so it’s given him an opportunity at the top and we’ve got plenty of power down the order.
“It’s a good opportunity for Travis, but unlucky for Usman.”
The first of the five ODIs will be played on January 13 at the Gabba with the last game to be played on January 26.
Australia XI: David Warner, Travis Head, Steve Smith (c), Chris Lynn, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade, James Faulkner, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Billy Stanlake.