Three new faces in Aussie ODI squad

Australia have dropped veterans Aaron Finch and George Bailey for the upcoming ODI series against Pakistan, with uncapped duo Chris Lynn and Billy Stanlake included in the 14-man squad.

In-form batsman Usman Khawaja has also been recalled, one of three changes from the squad that whitewashed New Zealand in the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy last December.

Australia ODI squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Pat Cummins, James Faulkner, Travis Head, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Chris Lynn, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa

Finch has been a familiar face at the top of the order since making his debut four years ago, but the Victorian has managed only 215 runs and one half-century in his last 10 innings.

Against the Black Caps last month, Finch’s scores of 0, 19 and 3 put extra pressure on him to retain his place, which looks to have been taken by Khawaja, Australia’s star first-drop who has scored 145 and 79 not out opening the batting in the Baggy Green this Test summer.

Bailey has fared better than Finch, recording 288 runs at 36 in his last 10 digs, but has made just 43 runs in his previous five innings.

“This is an extremely important series for us as, following it in a ODI context, we have the Chappell-Hadlee Series in New Zealand and then, in mid-year, the ICC Champions Trophy, a tournament which we won in 2006 and 2009," said Interim National Selector Trevor Hohns.

“We believe this squad is an exciting combination that covers all bases for us over the course of the five matches against Pakistan.

“Both George Bailey and Aaron Finch have been prominent players in the ODI squad over the past few years but both of them have missed out on places in this squad.

“George has scored one fifty in his past 10 ODIs and, while his form has not been disastrous, it has not been to his usual standard so we have decided to look at younger players in the middle order in this instance. Aaron, across the past four series in the Caribbean, Sri Lanka, South Africa and the Chappell-Hadlee Series, has scored four fifties in his last 18 innings. I have spoken to both players and they understand our perspective as selectors.

“Usman Khawaja has been in excellent touch throughout this Test summer, is able to bat anywhere in the top order and deserves another chance to demonstrate his ODI credentials.

In the place of the experienced duo comes Khawaja and Brisbane Heat master blaster Lynn, who has been a human highlight reel in the KFC Big Bash League this season, crashing 309 runs in five appearances at a staggering average of 154.50 and strike rate of 177.59, with 26 sixes.

The 26-year-old was unstoppable against the Perth Scorchers on Thursday night at The Furnace as he hit a record-equalling 11 sixes in his unbeaten 98 from to catapult the Heat into top spot on the BBL|06 ladder.

Lynn was 50-50 to play against the Scorchers in the west after injuring his shoulder in Brisbane’s only loss of the tournament to the Sydney Sixers on December 30, but the right-hander recovered enough to put on a brutal display of hitting for the packed out WACA Crowd and the 1.3m television viewers.

Towering fast bowler Stanlake has starred for the Adelaide Strikers in BBL|06, bowling with express pace to capture six wickets in four matches with a best performance of 3-17 against the Sydney Sixers on New Year’s Eve.

The 22-year-old has played only two first-class matches and four List A games for Queensland, but the raw paceman is capable of hitting speeds in excess of 145kph and appears to be the ideal fit for when Australia rest Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.

“Chris Lynn is in superb form for the Brisbane Heat and although that is a different form of the game we believe it is right that we give him the chance to show whether he can convert his wonderful ball-striking ability to ODIs.

“Billy Stanlake is an exciting prospect who bowls with genuine pace and is a player who has made a terrific return to action for the Adelaide Strikers in the KFC Big Bash League after a lengthy time out through injury.

"Billy himself and the medical staff involved in his recovery have done a great job, he’s back playing again and playing well and we believe that now is the right time to give him a chance to stretch himself."

Hilton Cartwright also drops out of the squad that beat New Zealand after making 37 on Test debut in Australia’s victory over Pakistan at the SCG.

“Hilton Cartwright is unlucky to miss out having been included in the previous squad for the Chappell-Hadlee Series but we believe we are well-served with all-round options, with Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, James Faulkner and Travis Head," Hohns said.

"Hilton has now had a taste of international cricket and we want him to go back to his state and demand inclusion in the limited-overs formats, something we believe he is capable of doing."

Hohns confirmed that star fast-bowling pair Starc and Hazlewood will be rested at times throughout the series. 

“Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood have both been included but given the high number of overs they have bowled over the past two months and the demands they will face in the Test series in India starting in February, we will look to give each of them a match or two off at some stage," Hohns added.

"We are helped in that regard by the quality and variety of bowling we have within this squad and any break the pair may get will allow them to recharge and also to work on their strength ahead of a demanding overseas Test assignment.”

The first fixture of the five-match series is on January 13 at the Gabba.