Aaron Finch has taken over as ODI captain
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Opening batsman Aaron Finch as replaced Tim Paine as Australia’s ODI captain ahead of the team’s three-match ODI series against South Africa next month.
Pace bowler Josh Hazlewood, who will be making his international comeback with fellow seamer Pat Cummins, has been named vice-captain, along with with wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey.
Finch, who also captains Australia in Twenty20 Internationals, is now set to lead the team at next year’s World Cup.
Chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns revealed that Paine was relieved of the captaincy in order “to focus purely on captaining the Test team, which includes preparing for next year’s Ashes”.
“As was the case when we announced the Test and T20 captains and vice-captains recently, the selection was based on their strong presentations which outlined their leadership credentials, the actions they have displayed on and off the field and the vision they have for Australian cricket,” Hohns was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. “We expect Aaron, Josh and Alex to lead the side through a big Australian summer, where we’ll meet South Africa and India, they’ll also be driving our standards and values as we prepare our defence of the World Cup, which is only seven months away.”
Meanwhile, all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has been rested for the ODI series against South Africa, but big-hitting batsman Chris Lynn is back after an impressive showing in the JLT Cup.
Lynn, who represented Queensland, was the top run-scorer with 452 runs in seven matches, which included two centuries and three fifties, at an average of 75.33.
“Chris made it clear he wanted to be considered for the World Cup, and he backed it up with his performances for Queensland in the JLT Cup,” Hohns said. “He was the highest run scorer of the tournament and has been rewarded for his consistency.”
All-rounder Marcus Stoinis also returns to the side after missing out for the ongoing Twenty20 series against Pakistan.
In addition to Marsh, spinner Nathan Lyon has also been rested.
“We have made the decision to manage Mitch Marsh and Nathan Lyon carefully to ensure they are in the best condition possible to put their hand up for selection either later in the summer or for the World Cup next year,” Hohns said.
The ODI series between Australia and South Africa begins on November 4 in Perth.
Australia’s ODI Squad: Aaron Finch (capt), Josh Hazlewood (vc), Alex Carey (vc), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Travis Head, Chris Lynn, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, D’Arcy Short, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa