Cricket news: Australian selectors reward Boland, Harris and Head in Test and ODI squads
Australia’s selectors have named trimmed down squads for the coming Test and ODI series and they’ve stuck by those who dominated the Ashes last summer.
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Fancy a reprise of Scott Boland’s barnstorming 6-7 at the MCG this summer?
While a similar return cannot be guaranteed, the selectors have him pencilled in ahead of time, acknowledging that the Indigenous home town hero and winner of the inaugural Jonny Mullagh medal could be wheeled out again.
Back in Hobart after a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign, head selector George Bailey was asked if Boland’s inclusion in a squad of 13 meant he was being considered for a return to the scene of the prime amid concerns workloads could put too much strain on the Big Three.
“He is, that’s absolutely why he is in the squad, you have got a good battery of four fast bowlers there who can do the job on any of the grounds we are about to come up against,” Bailey said.
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE FULL SQUADS
The selectors named a Test and ODI squad on Tuesday, suggesting there was some truth to Glenn Maxwell’s observation that they had moved on quickly from their failure to reach the finals and defend their T20 crown.
Australia will play England in a series of ODIs then begin the two Test series against the West Indies before the end of the month.
There’s no surprises in the Test squad, and there’s no surprise to that, given the Test side is coming off a comprehensive Ashes victory at home and an admirable win against Pakistan.
Picking 13 at least indicates clear thinking — there have been times when 17 have been named ahead of a home summer.
“After some larger squads for the sub-continent tours over the winter, we have returned to a very similar squad to that which performed strongly last summer in comprehensively winning the Ashes,” chief selector George Bailey said.
“Marcus Harris retains his place after continuing to perform for Gloucestershire in the English County competition and a strong start to the Marsh Sheffield Shield season.”
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Harris scored 3 centuries and compiled 726 runs at an average of 45.3 in the England first class season.
Boland, who took 6-7 in the second innings of his dream debut at the MCG last summer, is vying for a place against the entrenched trio of Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.
Boland played after Hazlewood was injured.
3 minutes and 47 seconds of magic.
— News Cricket (@NewsCorpCricket) January 19, 2022
Scott Boland's 18 wickets from the Ashes 👇 pic.twitter.com/csPXPnGyPA
Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson and Mitchell Swepson have all missed out on the squad but Bailey said the aim was to keep fringe players involved in domestic cricket as much as possible rather than warming the national side’s benches.
There is no back up spinner or immediate threat to Nathan Lyon who has taken 438 Test wickets and is in peak career form.
Peter Handscomb, who has scored 518 Sheffield Shield runs in just three games, including a 281no against Western Australia.
Bailey said the Victorian was “on their radar” and indicated he would be part of the PM’s XI tour match ahead of the series.
The one day players may be shuffling for inclusion in next year’s World Cup, but even that’s a way down the track.
Aaron Finch, former skipper, is out of the one day set up after standing down last month and the hard-hitting Travis Head returns to fill his place.
Pat Cummins now commands both the Test and ODI sides.
The Australians play England in in Adelaide (Nov 17), Sydney (Nov 19) and Melbourne (Nov 22). The Test side plays the West Indies in Perth (Nov 30-Dec 4) and Adelaide (Dec 8-12).
Bailey said selectors are already planning for the 2023 World Cup.
“Our focus is to continue to build a squad with an eye to next year’s World Cup under Pat as the new ODI captain, so it’s an important series,” he said.
“Travis Head returns in place of Aaron Finch having played well in Pakistan and Sri Lanka earlier in the year. He has demonstrated flexibility in the types of roles he can play in our ODI line-up.”
“Our next opportunity in the ODI format will be in India next year which will allow us to experience similar conditions as for the World Cup in October.”
Australian squad for the Dettol ODI Series against England:
Pat Cummins (NSW/Penrith Cricket Club) (c)
Ashton Agar (WA/University Cricket Club)
Alex Carey (SA/Glenelg Cricket Club)
Cameron Green (WA/Subiaco-Floreat Cricket Club)
Josh Hazlewood (NSW/St George Cricket Club)
Travis Head (SA/Tea Tree Gully Cricket Club)
Marnus Labuschagne (QLD/Redlands Cricket Club)
Mitchell Marsh (WA/Fremantle Cricket Club)
Glenn Maxwell (VIC/Fitzroy Doncaster Cricket Club)
Steve Smith (NSW/Sutherland Cricket Club)
Mitchell Starc (NSW/Manly Warringah Cricket Club)
Marcus Stoinis (WA/Subiaco Floreat Cricket Club)
David Warner (NSW/Randwick Petersham Cricket Club)
Adam Zampa (NSW/Sutherland Cricket Club)
Australian squad for the NRMA Insurance Test Series against the West Indies:
Pat Cummins (NSW/Penrith Cricket Club) (c)
Scott Boland (VIC/Frankston Peninsula Cricket Club)
Alex Carey (SA/Glenelg Cricket Club)
Cameron Green (WA/Subiaco-Floreat Cricket Club)
Marcus Harris (VIC/St Kilda Cricket Club)
Josh Hazlewood (NSW/St George Cricket Club)
Travis Head (SA/Tea Tree Gully Cricket Club)
Usman Khawaja (QLD/Valley District Cricket Club)
Marnus Labuschagne (QLD/Redlands Cricket Club)
Nathan Lyon (NSW/Northern District Cricket Club)
Steve Smith (NSW/Sutherland Cricket Club) (vc)
Mitchell Starc (NSW/Manly Warringah Cricket Club)
David Warner (NSW/Randwick Petersham Cricket Club)
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