SYDNEY — Pat Cummins is set to lead Australia’s One Day International (ODI) team for the first time since their victory at the Cricket World Cup last November, as they prepare for a three-match series against Pakistan at home in the upcoming month.
On Monday, Cummins was included in the 14-player squad, which will compete in matches held in Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth. The roster features other key players from the country’s Test pace lineup, including Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc.
Jake Fraser-McGurk has been given another opportunity after a lackluster performance in the recent Twenty20 series against Scotland, where he accumulated only 16 runs over three innings, including two ducks. Despite a solid 50 in just 30 balls against England, he was not chosen for the following five-match ODI series.
Fraser-McGurk is expected to take on the opening batting role alongside Matt Short, stepping in for Travis Head and Mitch Marsh, both of whom are on paternity leave. The squad also features prominent batters like Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, along with regular white-ball contributors Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis, and Adam Zampa.
Cooper Connolly has been retained in the team following his debut in both the ODIs and T20 formats during Australia’s tour of Britain in September. Allrounder Aaron Hardie, who impressed with 67 runs from two innings while batting at No. 8 and took four wickets in the England series, remains in the lineup, while Marcus Stoinis makes his return after being omitted from the England one-day matches.
Seamer Sean Abbott also retains his position as several bowlers continue to recover from injuries sustained during the England tour. Nathan Ellis, Xavier Bartlett, Ben Dwarshuis, and Riley Meredith all exited that series with injuries, and Spencer Johnson was ruled out pre-tournament due to a side strain.
In a related note, test allrounder Cameron Green confirmed on Monday that he will undergo surgery for a stress fracture in his back, which will sideline him for approximately six months.
A squad for the upcoming T20 series against Pakistan will be announced later this month. The ODI series against Pakistan, which includes matches at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on November 4, Adelaide Oval on November 8, and Perth Stadium on November 10, marks Australia’s last one-day contest before the ICC Champions Trophy set to take place in Pakistan this February.
The confirmed Australian squad includes: Pat Cummins (captain), Sean Abbott, Cooper Connolly, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, and Adam Zampa.