Australia have recalled all-rounder Glenn Maxwell to the ODI squad for the tour South Africa tour, which starts later this month. The 31-year-old was dropped from the 50-over team for the India tour that took place last month. Maxwell, in October, had taken a break from the game due to mental issues and made his return to Big Bash League. He is also a part of T20I squad.
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Matthew Wade’s return into white-ball squads is one of the talking points from the selection meeting. He was called into the World Cup squad as a replacement for Usman Khawaja in the later stage of the tournament but didn’t get a chance.
Wade hasn’t played a white-ball game for Australia since 2017 but forced a comeback with his rich form in Big Bash League, where he scored 351 runs in eight innings at 50.14.
Marcus Stoinis’ absence was the biggest surprise. With 612 runs in 15 innings at 55.63, The Melbourne Stars’ captain was the highest run-scorer in BBL 2019/20 but as per national selector Trevor Hohns, he is on standby. It is to be noted that Stoinis played BBL as a specialist opener and only bowled once. Since Australia’s top order includes Aaron Finch, Steve Smith, David Warner and Wade, there was no place for Stoinis.
A fit-again Jhye Richardson has returned into to the white-ball squads. The 23-year-old was confirmed selection in World Cup squad but missed out due to a shoulder injury that he suffered during ODI series against Pakistan.
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Pat Cummins will lead the pace attack that includes Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood (only ODIs), Sean Abbott (only T20Is), Jhye and Kane Richardson.
Australia dropped Peter Handscomb, Ashton Turner, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake and Ben McDermott from the white-ball squads.
The Aaron Finch-led team plays six white-ball matches against South Africa. In the first week, the two teams will play three T20Is on February 21, 23 and 26 in Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town, respectively. The three-match ODI series will kick off on February 29 in Paarl.
Australia’s T20 squad: Aaron Finch (Captain), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa
Australia’s ODI squad: Aaron Finch (Captain), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey (Vice-Captain), Pat Cummins (Vice-Captain), Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa