Buoyed by their stunning Gabba Test triumph, the West Indies will be hoping to keep the momentum going into their three-match ODI series against Australia, beginning Friday.
The world champions, back playing the shorter format for the first time since last November, are set to hand four players international debuts across the series – airing exclusively live on Fox Cricket and Kayo.
But Code Sports reports Victorian pair Jake Fraser-McGurk and Will Sutherland will cruelly miss home debuts, having to wait until after the opening match at the MCG on Friday February 2 to earn their first cap.
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Instead pacemen Lance Morris and Xavier Bartlett are likely to get the call-up given Pat Cummins, Mitch Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Allan Border Medallist Mitch Marsh are not part of the 13-man squad.
Fraser-McGurk, just 21 and coming off a breakout summer including a big BBL campaign, and big-hitting 24-year-old Sutherland will play at some stage during the series, which continues in Sydney (February 4) and Canberra (February 6).
Bartlett (replacing the injured Jhye Richardson), Fraser-McGurk (replacing the rested Glenn Maxwell) and Sutherland (replacing the injured Nathan Ellis) were all called up into the squad in recent weeks.
Likely Australia XI for first ODI vs West Indies, via Daniel Cherny
Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Cameron Green, Steve Smith (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Aaron Hardie, Matt Short, Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Adam Zampa, Lance Morris
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Captain Steve Smith hinted Josh Inglis is likely to get the nod at the top of the order partnering Travis Head, replacing David Warner, after his stellar 138 from 110 balls in last season’s Marsh Cup final.
Inglis has opened the batting once at ODI level, partnering Aaron Finch in the Victorian’s final 50-over match for his country.
“We’ll keep it consistent I suppose and with myself and ‘Marn’ (Marnus Labuschagne) at four and five like the World Cup and then we’ll probably see some guys having an opportunity up top and mixing matching a little bit,” Smith said.
“With the guys we’ve got in the squad, we’ve got some versatility there so it should be exciting.
“Mitch Marsh obviously isn’t here, he’s obviously a candidate to be batting somewhere in the top three in one-day cricket … I think it’s maybe Inglis and ‘Greeny’ potentially at three, we’ll have to sort it out with the selectors, but I think that’s the top three potentially for the first game.”
BBL player of the tournament Matt Short has starred as an opener across multiple formats, debuting as a No.8 against India in a pre-World Cup match before opening in his only other ODI two days later.
He’s tipped to come in at No.7, behind Aaron Hardie at six and Marnus Labuchagne at five, in Melbourne.
“I think he’ll get opportunities both in the middle and top, what that looks like in terms of the three games, I’m not sure,” Smith said.
“His form has been outstanding recently as well, he’s a quality player and he’s absolutely smashed it for the Strikers the last few weeks.”
AUSTRALIA vs WEST INDIES ODI SERIES INFO
Australia ODI squad: Steve Smith (c), Travis Head (vc), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Lance Morris, Matt Short, Will Sutherland, Adam Zampa
West Indies ODI squad: Shai Hope (c), Alzarri Joseph, Alick Athanaze, Teddy Bishop, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Tevin Imlach, Gudakesh Motie, Kjorn Ottley, Romario Shepherd, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr.
Watch every game live and exclusive on Fox Cricket, via Foxtel and Kayo.
Match 1: MCG, Friday February 2 from 2:30pm AEDT
Match 2: SCG, Sunday February 4 from 2:30pm AEDT
Match 3: Manuka Oval, Tuesday February 6 from 2:30pm AEDT
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