Melbourne, Oct 9 (Inditop.com) Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin, Callum Ferguson and Nathan Bracken have been omitted, due to injuries, from the 15-member squad for the seven-match One-day series against India.
Announcing the team here Friday, national selection panel chairman Andrew Hilditch said that Clarke is continuing his rehabilitation from back soreness while wicket-keeper Brad Haddin continues his recovery after a finger surgery. Callum Ferguson and Nathan Bracken are also suffering from knee injuries.
Tim Paine after a fine performance in the Champions Trophy has been selected as a replacement for Haddin while Hussey has been appointed as the vice-captain.
Hilditch also said that uncapped 22-year-old left arm spinner Jon Holland from Victoria has been selected along with West Australia batsman Shaun Marsh, who makes a comeback after recovering from a hamstring injury.
“We’re really pleased with the progress the ODI squad has made recently. We do have four players unavailable for this tour due to injury. But Shaun Marsh returns after recovering from hamstring injury, having been an important and successful member of the one day side before that injury.
“Jon Holland is in the squad as we wanted to take the opportunity to give a young left arm finger spinner exposure both to the Australian team set up and Indian conditions. He has impressed in the recent Australia ‘A’ series against Pakistan and in his time at CA’s Centre of Excellence. If an opportunity arises on tour we feel he will equip himself very well at international level,” he said.
Hilditch said that reclaiming the No.1 world rankings was recognition of the squad’s recent achievements.
“But we have to continue to improve and to establish a winning culture within this young group of players on tough tours, like this, to India. We expect the Indian series to be extremely testing, but the young squad is looking forward to the challenge,” he said.
The squad: Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Hussey (vice-captain), Doug Bollinger, Nathan Hauritz, Jon Holland, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Peter Siddle, Adam Voges, Shane Watson, Cameron White.
Fixture:
Oct 25: Vadodara
Oct 28: Nagpur
Oct 31: Delhi
Nov 2: Mohali
Nov 5: Hyderabad
Nov 8: Guwahati
Nov 11: Mumbai
