No Smith, Warner in Australia's squad for Pakistan ODIs
Australia play Pakistan in a five-match one-day international series – their final lot of ODIs ahead the World Cup. Smith and Warner, who are currently serving year-long bans for last year's ball-tampering scandal, will be eligible for selection on 29 March, the day of the fourth ODI.
However, there is uncertainty surrounding their returns, with both players suffering elbow injuries at the 2018-19 Bangladesh Premier League. Warner is expected to be near the end of his recovery and has already stated his intent to play grade cricket in Australia to prepare for his national comeback. However, there is no clarity yet on a return for Smith, who suffered a more serious injury.
Explaining their non-selection, Trevor Hohns, the chairman of selectors, said that the Indian Premier League would be the preferred route back for both players. “While their bans will be finished on 28 March, Steve and David have been working through rehabilitation from elbow surgery and it has been agreed the best pathway for them to return to play is in the Indian Premier League, a strong competition which features some of the world’s best players,” he said.
“Cricket Australia will continue to liaise with both Steve, David and their IPL clubs to monitor progress as we build towards the ICC World Cup and the Ashes.”
The 15-man contingent includes fast bowler Kane Richardson, who was ruled out of the India tour after earning a recall when he suffered a side injury in the nets ahead of the first Twenty20 International. However, there was no place for Mitchell Starc, whose return from a pectoral injury was set back due to a recurrence.
“Despite returning to Australia last week, Kane Richardson has been included in the squad as we monitor his recovery from the left side strain injury. We are hopeful he will recover in time for the Pakistan series,” Hohns said.
“Unfortunately, Mitchell Starc’s recovery from his left pectoral muscle strain has been set back by a slight recurrence as he commenced bowling. This has ruled him out of the Pakistan series, and while frustrating for all involved, our focus is to have Mitch ready for the World Cup.”
Australia are currently trailing 2-0 in the five-match ODI series against India. But they have been extremely competitive on the tour, sweeping the T20Is 2-0 and pushing India in both the ODIs so far. Hohns was pleased with their progress and believed they would continue to grow and benefit from staying together ahead of the World Cup.
“The squad is making pleasing progress ahead of the World Cup,” he said. “And with three matches remaining in India and the five match series against Pakistan to come, we believe they will benefit further from the continuity of playing together.”
Australia have a packed schedule ahead of them. They will have just over a week to settle in after their India tour concludes, with the first ODI against Pakistan scheduled for 22 March. Australia will play five ODIs in the span of 10 days before the tour concludes on 31 March.
**Squad:**Aaron Finch (c), 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
