Australia make humungous change in ODI squad, World Cup winner out

The Big Bash League (BBL) has opened national team doors for Jake Fraser-McGurk and Xavier Bartlett as both of them have been named in Australia’s ODI squad to face West Indies, replacing Glenn Maxwell and Jhye Richardson. They both have shown some spectacular cricket in the ongoing Big Bash League and as a result, they have received their maiden call-up from the Australia National Cricket Team.

Jake Fraser-McGurk represents Melbourne Renegades in the BBL while Xavierr Bartlett plays for Brisbane Heat. While Fraser-McGurk comes in for the rested Glenn Maxwell, who is likely to return for the upcoming T20I series, Brisbane Heat’s Bartlett replaces Jhye Richardson, who picked up a side strain during the BBL season.

Glenn Maxwell joins his fellow World Cup winners Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Marsh, and Josh Hazlewood as first-choice players who will miss the ODI series against the West Indies. Steve Smith will be back as Australia’s captain with Travis Head serving as his deputy. Jake Fraser-McGurk and Xavier Bartlett both are in contention to make their ODI debut against West Indies in the series starting from February 2.

Jake Fraser-McGurk got the limelight last year when he broke AB de Villiers’ record of the fastest century in List-A cricket as he smashed a ton off just 29 balls in a domestic match. Meanwhile, Xavier Bartlett has impressed in recent white-ball fixtures and has played some exciting cricket for Brisbane Heat in the BBL. The right-arm pacer has taken 17 wickets in nine games and boasts an average of 14.82.

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Australia Also Call Lance Morris For The ODI Series, Meanwhile Steve Smith Will Lead The Side

Apart from Fraser-McGurk and Bartlett, Lance Morris, who could not make it into the Test playing 11, has also earned his maiden ODI call-up, while the likes of Matthew Short, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie and Sean Abbott are also included in the ODI squad. Matthew Short is likely to open the batting with Travis Head in the absence of Mitchell Marsh who has been rested and David Warner who recently announced his retirement.

Australia will play three ODIs against West Indies starting on February 2 in Melbourne. The second and third ODI will be played in Sydney and Canberra on February 4 and February 6 respectively. Currently, the Australian team is facing the West Indies in a two-match Test series where Australia have won the first Test in Adelaide by 10 wickets. The second Test is set to commence on January 25 at The Gabba in Brisbane.

The ODI squad for Australia also have Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, and Adam Zampa as senior members alongside Steve Smith and Travis Head who will be leading in this series. Travis Head was the hero for Australia in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 where he smashed a century in the finals against India to win the World Cup for Australia.

Australia ODI Squad For The Series Against West Indies: Steve Smith (captain), Travis Head (vice-captain), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis (wicketkeeper), Marnus Labuschagne, Lance Morris, Matt Short, Adam Zampa.

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