India vs Australia 2019: Australia Announce Squad For India Tour

Australia, on Thursday, announced their squad for the upcoming limited-overs tour of India, consisting two T20 Internationals (T20Is) and five One-Day Internationals (ODIs). Left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc was the notable absentee from the side as he was ruled out due to a pectoral muscle injury. Kane Richardson, the leading wicket-taker in the ongoing Big Bash League, has earned a recall while Mitchell Marsh has been dropped.

Ashton Turner has also made it to the squad while D’Arcy Short, the leading run-scorer in the BBL, has earned a recall as cover for Shaun Marsh who will join the team after the birth of his second child and recovery from a hamstring injury picked up during the BBL. Pace bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile has returned to the team too after missing the home series against India.

Players who have faced the axe from the squad that faced India last month are Peter Siddle, Marsh and Billy Stanlake.

Josh Hazlewood continues to remain on the sidelines due to a back stress fracture. In his absence,Pat Cummins will take the responsibility of vice-captain. Along with Cummins, Alex Carey has been named the joint-vice-captain.

“Unfortunately, scans have revealed that Mitchell Starc sustained a substantial tear to his left pec muscle while bowling on the final day of the Test match in Canberra,” national selector Trevor Hohns said. “This means he will be unavailable for the Tour of India, but we will instead target a return to play for the ODI Series against Pakistan in the UAE in March.”

“This paves the way for Kane Richardson to come into the squad. Kane has been in outstanding form over the summer, including his recent performances in the BBL. Kane not only has experience playing ODI cricket for Australia, but he’s also performed well for his country when given the opportunity.

“Nathan Coulter-Nile provides us with another quality bowling option, he brings good energy in the field and can also score runs in high pressure situations,” he added.

The tour will start with the T20I leg. Both the teams will play the first T20I on February 24 in Visakhapatnam.

Australia squad

Aaron Finch (capt), Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Ashton Turner, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Lyon, Adam Zampa, D’Arcy Short (as cover for S Marsh)