Smith will lead the ODIs vs the West Indies.

2024.01.10

Marcus Stoinis has been omitted, while fast bowler Lance Morris has received his maiden call-up to the format. Steven Smith will skipper Australia against the West Indies in the ODI series next month.

Australia ODI squad vs West Indies

Steve Smith, Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson, Matt Short, Adam Zampa

Alongside Mitchell Marsh, who captained the squad in South Africa, Pat Cummins has been rested after leading the team to the World Cup triumph in November. Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc will also miss the three 50-over matches in Canberra, Sydney, and Melbourne. David Warner left the door open to compete in the 2025 Champions Trophy after announcing his retirement from the sport last week.

Jhye Richardson, a rapid player for the Perth Scorchers of Western Australia, has been called up for the first time since the 2022 tour of Sri Lanka. Aaron Hardie and Matt Short are also picked, in addition to Nathan Ellis.

In the series against India that followed the World Cup, Hardie earned his ODI debut against South Africa in September of last year. Both have kept up their good work in the BBL this season.

Even though Stoinis lost his spot at the conclusion of the campaign, he was a member of India’s World Cup-winning team, but there isn’t room for him.

Morris will get the chance to make his debut on the international scene during the series after serving as a reserve for a significant portion of the Test team. It would seem doubtful that he will play in that format anytime soon, barring injuries to the three starting Test quicks.

“It is a little over 12 months until the Champions Trophy and further opportunities for the likes of Aaron Hardie, Matt Short, Jhye Richardson, and Nathan Ellis will be valuable both to our ongoing improvement as a team and also further their personal experiences in ODI cricket,” George Bailey, the national selector, stated.

“The squad strikes a balance between players continuing to make their mark on international cricket, playing alongside some of our most experienced players with an eye to the future in this format.”

The series against West Indies are Australia’s last scheduled ODIs until they tour England in September.

@charith