Paris could make his ODI debut next week
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Uncapped left-arm seamer Joel Paris has been drafted into Australia’s ODI squad for their upcoming five-match ODI series against India.
Paris has been highly impressive while representing Western Australia this season and his ability to swing the ball made him an even more appealing prospect to the national selectors.
“He is coming along nicely,” selector Trevor Hohns said. “We find him exciting, particularly being a left-armer. Possible not quite as quick as Starc and Johnson but he swings the ball and he is tall and gets good bounce. We would like to encourage him as much as we can. We need to balance our attack for Test match cricket. He may need some more long form cricket but he is high on our agenda.”
Victoria seamer Scott Boland, who has also yet to be capped, also finds a place in the ODI squad due to his strong performances this summer. Boland was called up to the Test squad for the second and third Test against the West Indies in Melbourne and Sydney, but was not included in the final XI for either game.
“I was lucky to be present when he bowled WA out [in Perth],” Hohns said. “He was very impressive. His pace was good and his bounce was good. It was very high. He has come on and we know and knew that his short form cricket was very good for the past couple of years. He gets the opportunity and it is up to him to make the most of it.”
However, there was no place in the side for all-rounder Shane Watson or spinner Nathan Lyon as the selectors have opted to rely on Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell.
“With the all-rounders that we have in our squad right now, with Mitchell Marsh and James Faulkner and you can put Glenn Maxwell in that category, we think we’re adequately covered for all-rounders,” Hohns said. “Watto by no means is out of the picture either. It’s a matter of him showing us what he can do.
“It was a bit of an issue, there’s no doubt about that. We obviously would like to see him in better form. He’s very well-performed, so he’ll certainly come into consideration for that [the World T20].”
Hohns also hinted that pace bowler Josh Hazlewood will be rested for the first two games, while captain Steven Smith is unlikely to be given a break even though he is suffering from pain in his knee.
“There’s no doubt we want to give Josh a rest, he’s very important to us, as we all know,” Hohns said. “We will certainly manage him, as per what the medicos’ advice is. But with the first couple of games in Brisbane and Perth we thought it was essential to have him in the squad initially, because he normally bowls very well at both of those cities.
“Steven has made it very clear that he doesn’t want a break. He’s Australian captain and he wants to play just about all the time if he can, unless we’re advised by the medical staff that he absolutely needs a rest. But he has made it very clear that he wants to play.”
Australia ODI squad: David Warner, Aaron Finch, Steven Smith (capt), Shaun Marsh, George Bailey, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, Matthew Wade (wk), James Faulkner, Kane Richardson, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, Joel Paris.