The veteran Australian pacer, Peter Siddle is going to be featuring in the Australian playing XI of an ODI match after a long gap of 8 years as he last played an ODI game in November 2010. On Friday, the Australian team management named the playing XI for the series opener against India at the SCG. The eleven comprised of three other specialist bowlers apart from Siddle, along with two all-rounders.
Siddle, Jhye Richardson, and Jason Behrendorff are the three front-line pacers, with Stonis fitting in as the fourth pacer. Nathan Lyon is the lead spinner while Australia also has the option of getting a few overs from Glenn Maxwell, who will be batting as low as seven.
Talking about the same, Finch said, “For Sidds to go away and work on the skills that he’s brought to the table over the last couple of years in Big Bash cricket is outstanding. He well and truly deserves his spot. Any tour you go on, Sidds is one of the first picked I would think for what he brings to the team and the skill set he brings.”
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Mentioning that Adam Zampa is unfortunate to miss out from the eleven, Finch explained: “Adam’s very stiff to miss out on a game tomorrow. He’s performed reasonably well for us in the last little bit since he’s made his comeback. It’s unfortunate for him to miss but we feel those two [Nathan Lyon and Glenn Maxwell] together could play a really big part over the next six to 10 months.”
Meanwhile, the Aussies skipper will be opening the innings along with the wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey, with Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, and Peter Handscomb to follow in the batting order. Carey has opened in a couple of T20Is for his country while he has only batted at No. 5 or lower in ODIs.
Speaking about his opening partner, Finch said: “It’s just an opportunity to see Alex play in a position he’s done quite a bit in Big Bash and one-day cricket. It’s a position he’s performed really well within the last couple of years. He’s been shuffled around the order a bit in the last little while … and he’ll get a good opportunity up there.”
Australia XI for first ODI: Aaron Finch (c), Alex Carey (wk) Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Nathan Lyon, Peter Siddle, Jhye Richardson, Jason Behrendorff.
