India vs Australia | Australia recall Usman Khawaja and Nathan Lyon for ODI series

India vs Australia | Australia recall Usman Khawaja and Nathan Lyon for ODI series

SportsCafe Desk

By SportsCafe Desk, SportsCafe Editor

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Australia have recalled the services of Usman Khawaja and Nathan Lyon, along with Peter Siddle, for the upcoming ODI series against India which starts on January 12 . Justin Langer’s side have also decided to rest the pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.

The Indian cricket team are currently the favorites to usurp their Australian counterpart and register a first-ever series win on Australian soil as they look in a commanding position in the fourth Test at the SCG. The hosts’ went public with their 14-man squad for the upcoming ODI series on Friday as they will be determined to prevent the visitors from embarrassing them again in their own backyard.

There were a few surprises in the squad list that was revealed as Test trio - Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon and Peter Siddle - made their return to the limited overs team after being overlooked for the ODI series against South Africa in October last year. 

"With a focus on improving our ability to post competitive totals we've recalled Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb and Mitch Marsh to the squad. Usman is a batsman we know can put vital runs on the board at the top of the order, and Peter is not only a fine player of spin bowling, he's also a batsman we know can hold an innings together while keeping the scoreboard ticking over. Mitch gives us another all-round option with his ability with both bat and ball.

"Travis Head, Darcy Short and Chris Lynn have been unlucky to miss out. All three have had opportunities to cement their spots, but unfortunately, they have not been as productive as we would have liked in recent times when playing ODI cricket for Australia," Trevor Hohns, Australian chief selector, told Cricbuzz.

Chris Lynn, D'Arcy Short, Ben McDermott, Travis Head and Ashton Agar have been axed from the squad whereas Nathan Coulter-Nile misses out due to some lower back issues.

The selection committee have also decided to offer some much-needed rest to the pace triplet of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins who have worked tirelessly for the home team in the ongoing Test series against Virat Kohli & Co.

"After a hefty workload in the Indian series to date, it has been decided not to select Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood in this squad to allow them to freshen up for the Test series against Sri Lanka. Jhye Richardson, Jason Behrendorff, Peter Siddle and Billy Stanlake fill the fast bowling spots in this squad.

"We have rewarded both Jhye and Jason as they continue to put up strong performances with the white ball. Jason provides us with a left arm option in the absence of Mitchell Starc and is very capable of taking wickets early in the innings," Hohns added.

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