Mitchell Starc named in Australia squad for Caribbean tri-series
Superstar paceman Mitchell Starc is set to make his long-awaited comeback for Australia in their tour of the West Indies in June. Starc has been absent since breaking down against New Zealand in the third Test in Adelaide last November but has completed rehabilitation from surgery to remove spurs in his ankle and a separate operation to fix a fracture in his foot.
The 26-year-old was sorely missed during the World T20, as Australia suffered a shock exit in the Super 10 stage. The tri-series against the West Indies and South Africa is an ideal opportunity for Starc to test his fitness ahead of Australia's Test tour of Sri Lanka in July.
Rod Marsh, National selector, said Starc was fit enough to spearhead Australia's attack. "Mitchell has progressed very well in his rehab and the medical staff are confident he will be fit to play in this series," he said on Wednesday (March 30) after the squad for the next international assignment was announced. "It's extremely pleasing to have a bowler of his calibre back in the side."
Meanwhile, off-spinner Nathan Lyon has been recalled to the One-Day International squad after contentiously missing out on a World T20 berth as Australia plumped for leg-spinner Adam Zampa and left-armer Ashton Agar. Zampa has been selected to tour the West Indies, but Agar missed out after struggling in his only match of the World T20 against New Zealand where he bowled one over for 18 runs.
"Nathan has bowled very well in the West Indies in the past and we are predicting we will see some slow, turning pitches," Marsh said. "Adam (Zampa) has impressed us in India during the World T20 and has bowled consistently well, and with confidence, when given his opportunity."
Sheffield Shield Player of the Year, Travis Head, is set to make his ODI debut after a stunning Australian summer, where he starred in all formats. The 22-year-old was also a controversial omission from Australias World T20 squad.
"Travis (Head) has put in some match-winning performances in all three formats of the game this summer," Marsh said. "He is an exciting young batsman with a bright future and if he gets his opportunity, I have no doubt he will make the most of it."
In somewhat of a surprise, Matthew Wade has retained his wicket-keeping spot in the ODI team despite Peter Nevill's solid performance at the World T20.
The tri-nation ODI series, also involving South Africa, is scheduled to be played from June 3.
AUSTRALIAN SQUAD:
http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/78979/mitchell-starc-named-in-australia-squad-for-caribbean-tri-series
Superstar paceman Mitchell Starc is set to make his long-awaited comeback for Australia in their tour of the West Indies in June. Starc has been absent since breaking down against New Zealand in the third Test in Adelaide last November but has completed rehabilitation from surgery to remove spurs in his ankle and a separate operation to fix a fracture in his foot.
The 26-year-old was sorely missed during the World T20, as Australia suffered a shock exit in the Super 10 stage. The tri-series against the West Indies and South Africa is an ideal opportunity for Starc to test his fitness ahead of Australia's Test tour of Sri Lanka in July.
Rod Marsh, National selector, said Starc was fit enough to spearhead Australia's attack. "Mitchell has progressed very well in his rehab and the medical staff are confident he will be fit to play in this series," he said on Wednesday (March 30) after the squad for the next international assignment was announced. "It's extremely pleasing to have a bowler of his calibre back in the side."
Meanwhile, off-spinner Nathan Lyon has been recalled to the One-Day International squad after contentiously missing out on a World T20 berth as Australia plumped for leg-spinner Adam Zampa and left-armer Ashton Agar. Zampa has been selected to tour the West Indies, but Agar missed out after struggling in his only match of the World T20 against New Zealand where he bowled one over for 18 runs.
"Nathan has bowled very well in the West Indies in the past and we are predicting we will see some slow, turning pitches," Marsh said. "Adam (Zampa) has impressed us in India during the World T20 and has bowled consistently well, and with confidence, when given his opportunity."
Sheffield Shield Player of the Year, Travis Head, is set to make his ODI debut after a stunning Australian summer, where he starred in all formats. The 22-year-old was also a controversial omission from Australias World T20 squad.
"Travis (Head) has put in some match-winning performances in all three formats of the game this summer," Marsh said. "He is an exciting young batsman with a bright future and if he gets his opportunity, I have no doubt he will make the most of it."
In somewhat of a surprise, Matthew Wade has retained his wicket-keeping spot in the ODI team despite Peter Nevill's solid performance at the World T20.
The tri-nation ODI series, also involving South Africa, is scheduled to be played from June 3.
AUSTRALIAN SQUAD:
[*]Steve Smith (c),
[*]David Warner,
[*]George Bailey,
[*]Nathan Coulter-Nile,
[*]James Faulkner,
[*]Aaron Finch,
[*]John Hastings,
[*]Josh Hazlewood,
[*]Travis Head,
[*]Usman Khawaja,
[*]Nathan Lyon,
[*]Mitchell Marsh,
[*]Glenn Maxwell,
[*]Mitchell Starc,
[*]Matthew Wade,
[*]Adam Zampa
http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/78979/mitchell-starc-named-in-australia-squad-for-caribbean-tri-series
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