Australia names ODI squad to face Sri Lanka
Australia have named their ODI squad to face Sri Lanka during November, with Ricky Ponting and Shane Watson returning to the fold after being rested for this month’s ODI series against India.
Also named in the squad are Brad Haddin and Peter Siddle, who will both be making their return to international cricket from injury in a Twenty20 International against the Sri Lankans on October 31st.
Haddin wins back wicketkeeping duties from Tim Paine, who installed himself firmly as Australia’s No.2 gloveman with some strong performances behind the stumps and with the bat in series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 and India while Haddin has been battling to regain fitness over the past few months.
Siddle has spent nine months on the sidelines with recovering from stress fractures in his back and the paceman’s return to Australia’s limited overs squad ahead of their bid to reclaim the Ashes during the southern hemisphere summer can only be read as a positive sign for Ponting’s side.
The return of the regular skipper and all-rounder Watson mean David Warner and Callum Ferguson have missed out on selection for the series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 after being included for the three-match series against India (two games of which were ultimately abandoned due to rain).
Australia have, however, retained rookie bowlers John Hastings and Mitchell Starc in the squad after the pair made their ODI debuts against India in Visakhapatnam, where Hastings’ maiden ODI wicket was his dismissal of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Virat-Kohli-c95424.
Tasmania’s Xavier Doherty has also earned a place in the 15-man squad after impressing in domestic cricket.
“Xavier Doherty richly deserves his chance after several impressive seasons for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 statement. “A left-arm finger spinner could be important during the World Cup campaign and we are confident Xavier will perform very well if the opportunity presents itself.”
Doherty is selected in the squad as a spin option along with young leg-spinner Steven Smith and off-spinner Nathan Hauritz, who will miss the first of the ODIs to play in the domestic Sheffield Shield competition.
The full squad is: Ricky Ponting (c), Michael http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326 and Cameron White.
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