Australia call up uncapped trio for ODI series against England

Sydney, Aug 12 -  All-rounder Marcus Stoinis, spinner Ashton Agar and batsman Joe Burns were called up by Australia for the limited overs series against England to be held after the fifth and final Ashes Test.

Steve Smith will lead the side which will play a one-off One-Day International (ODI) against Ireland in Belfast on August 27 before taking on England in the sole T20 International match of the ongoing tour on August 31 in Cardiff.

"The uncapped trio were today included in the Australian squad to prepare for the ODI and T20 International matches against England and Ireland following the fifth and final Test at The Oval cricket ground from August 20," said a Cricket Australia release on Wednesday.

The reigning World Cup champions will then play five ODIs against England between September 3 to 13.
National Selection Panel (NSP) chairman Rod Marsh said while the squad contained a number of fresh faces, it was balanced by the inclusion of several members of the World Cup-winning team.

"The squad we have selected has a few fresh faces in it as well as some experienced players that will provide us with the right balance," Marsh said in the release.

"Joe has impressed us immensely over in India with Australia A. He is a very capable young batsman who has experience opening, and we think he will grab his opportunity with the white ball during this series."

"Marcus has performed very well in India during the four-day series and we have always liked that option of the extra all-rounder in our side, so with James Faulkner’s unavailability, this is a great opportunity for Marcus,” Marsh added.
Faulkner was not considered for inclusion after being convicted last month in England of driving under the influence of alcohol.

Queensland and Hobart Hurricanes leg-spinner Cameron Boyce has been included for the T20 International but current T20 captain Aaron Finch was not selected after fracturing his foot while playing for Yorkshire last month.

Following Brad Haddin’s retirement from ODIs after the World Cup campaign earlier this year, Victorian gloveman Matthew Wade returns to keep wicket for the squad and is set to play his first ODI since November 2014.

“Matt has done a good job in the short form of the game in the absence of Brad Haddin in the past and now with Brad’s retirement from one-day cricket we think he will step up nicely into the position. His form with the bat during the Australia A Series and also at the start of last summer has also been very good," Marsh said.

The 15-man squad contains eight members of the victorious World Cup team that defeated New Zealand in the final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in March.

Squad:

Steve Smith (c), Ashton Agar, George Bailey, Joe Burns, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Patrick Cummins, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (wk), Shane Watson, David Warner, Cameron Boyce (T20I only)

(IANS)