Josh Hazlewood, who picked up 15 wickets in three Tests against Pakistan, has been rested for the first of the five ODIs against the visitors on January 13, as the selectors want him to be fully prepared for the long season ahead.
The 26-year-old, who moved to the third place in the latest Test bowlers’ rankings, has been ever-present for Australia in the home season and the team management want him to freshen up by giving him the much-needed break. The right-arm pacer has appeared in all six Tests and three ODIs that Australia has played in the home season so far, bowling over 300 overs in the process.
Speaking on the decision to rest Hazlewood, head coach Darren Lehmann said:“He [Hazlewood] is not injured but we have decided to give him a week to freshen up at home and he will link up with the ODI squad in Melbourne ahead of the second match of the series.”
Hazlewood’s absence might pave the way for Billy Stanlake to make his ODI debut. The 22-year-old, who has played only four 50-overs game in domestic cricket, expressed surprise over his international call up.
He said: “I got a phone call, I think, Friday morning. I actually missed the first one so I had to give him a call back. I saw it was Trevor Hohns, the head of selectors, but I wasn’t too sure what he’d be calling about so I gave him a quick call back and he told me the news which was very nice news. It hasn’t really sunk in yet. I think it’ll sink in more when we get into the camp on Tuesday.”
Stanlake has impressed in the ongoing season of the Big Bash League, where he has taken six wickets in 4 matches at a decent economy of less than seven.
The youngster, who missed the Matador Cup in 2016 due to injury, further said:“It’s funny how quickly things can happen. It was only a couple of months ago that I was returning from injury in club cricket.”
Another player who has been rewarded for his good show in the BBL is Chris Lynn. The right-handed batsman has been in terrific form as he has scored 309 runs in only five matches, including three fifties.
Injury has been the nemesis for the player who is regarded highly in Australia’s domestic circuit. He was forced to miss the Matador Cup in 2014 and 2015 and he, therefore, has not played a 50-over domestic game in three years.
Expressing his delight over getting a call from the national team, he said:“Just relying on my body to get me through a 50-over game and the selectors are happy where I’m at. I’m over the moon and hopefully if I get the chance to debut in my hometown at the Gabba, it would be a pretty special moment.It’s my neck that’s giving me a bit of grief. It’s more of a nerve issue, but it won’t stop me putting on the green and gold, that’s for sure.”
“It’s not giving me an issue while batting, that’s probably the most important thing. In cricket, you can always hide one or two blokes on the field, even though that’s a bit of baggage. I do feel a little bit uncomfortable with that but they’re happy to carry me around. Push comes to shove, I’ll be diving, throwing my body around and doing everything I can to contribute for Australia,” he concluded.
Here is Australia’s ODI squad for the upcoming series:
Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Pat Cummins, James Faulkner, Travis Head, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Chris Lynn, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa