England-Australia ODIs: Brett Lee, Shaun Tait called up
Veteran Australia pacer Brett Lee has been given a chance to strengthen his case ahead of February’s ICC World Cup 2011 after being named in Australia’s squad for the opening One Day International against Ashes rivals, England.
Australia announced their squad for the opening ODI on Tuesday, 11 January 2011. Fast bowler Shaun Tait, middle-order batsman David Hussey and right-arm off-spinner Nathan Hauritz have also been included in the squad.
The ODI, which will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday, January 16, will be the only 50-over game the Aussies will play before finalising their 15-man squad for the ICC World Cup 2011. The returning Australian players are seeing this chance
as their last to press their claims for the World Cup squad.
The 34-year-old http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 on 25 October 2009. Lee has already made it clear that his ambition is to lead Australian attack in the mega cricketing
event next month. In Sunday’s ODI against England, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746’s pace attack.
Coming to the spin department of the hosts, Nathan Hauritz- who has not made a national side since he was axed before the Ashes opener in Brisbane- has also been chosen in the 14-man squad for the ODI. Xavier Doherty and Steven Smith have also been picked
in the squad. Since the World Cup will be played on spin-friendly tracks of the subcontinent, all the three spinners would be keen to impress the selectors in the solitary chance offered to them before the final-15 are decided.
The 33-year-old David Hussey was the most surprising selection as he has not played in the 50-over format since August 2009. Hussey averages a meagre 28.47 from 23 ODIs. Even his recent form in the Ryobi Cup has not been impressive as he has compiled only
143 runs at an average of 23.83 but the Australian selectors still decided to give him a final chance to prove his worth given his experience of subcontinent conditions.
“We've given David Hussey the opportunity to push for inclusion in the World Cup squad as we think he will be well suited for the sub-continent conditions which will be faced in the World Cup,” said Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of selectors.
Since Ricky Ponting is nursing his broken finger, Michael Clarke will captain the side.
Australia Squad: Shane http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120 (C), Cameron White (vice-captain), David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Steven Smith, Nathan Hauritz, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Shaun Tait, Xavier Doherty, Peter Siddle, Doug Bollinger.
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