Aaron Finch has replaced Tim Paine as Australia’s ODI captain ahead of the side’s upcoming 50-over series against South Africa.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Paine has been left out of the one-day squad after leading Australia during England’s historic 5-0 ODI series whitewash in June.
Australia T20 captain Finch – generally considered a specialist one-day batsman – spent the summer with Surrey while also impressing in national colours, beating his own world-record score with 172 in a T20I against Zimbabwe in July.
He is joined by wicketkeeper Alex Carey and pace bowler Josh Hazlewood as vice-captains in the 14-man squad.
“It’s very exciting. I’m very humbled, very honoured to lead the side and lead Australia,” Finch said.
Speaking of his vice captains, he added: “I think it’s really important to have the voice of the bowlers there as well.
“A lot of the time batters are in leadership roles and bowlers are neglected in terms of that and it’s almost an us versus them at times.
“It’s very exciting for Josh and I can’t wait to work with him.”
Pat Cummins, who alongside Hazlewood was ruled out of Australia’s two-Test series against Pakistan due to injury, also returns to the squad, while Travis Head, Shaun Marsh and D’Arcy Short have retained their spots.
National selector Trevor Hohns said Carey will put on the gloves full-time to allow Paine “to focus purely” on captaining the Test team, including for next year’s Ashes.
Injury-hit Chris Lynn, the leading scorer in this year’s JLT One-Day Cup with 452 runs, has been recalled for his first ODI series since January last year.
“At the top of the order Aaron Finch, Travis Head and Shaun Marsh all retained their spots after making runs in England, but we have also added further depth to our batting stocks.
“Chris (Lynn) made it clear he wanted to be considered for the World Cup, and he backed it up with his performances for Queensland in the JLT Cup. He was the highest run scorer of the tournament and has been rewarded for his consistency,” Hohns said.
“Alex (Carey) provides us with another strong batting option, as he displayed in last year’s Big Bash, and he’s a wonderful young leader to have around the group and out in the field.”
Test vice-captain Mitchell Marsh, off-spinner Nathan Lyon and fast bowler Andrew Tye have not been included in the squad.
“Andrew Tye is unlucky to miss out. The return of Cummins, Hazlewood and (Mitchell) Starc unfortunately meant there wasn’t enough room in the squad for another quick,” Hohns said.
“And we have made the decision to manage Mitch Marsh and Nathan Lyon carefully to ensure they are in the best condition possible to put their hand up for selection either later in the summer or for the World Cup next year.”
Australia’s first ODI match in the three-game series against South Africa takes place on November 4 in Perth.
Australia squad: Aaron Finch; Alex Carey; Josh Hazlewood; Ashton Agar; Pat Cummins; Nathan Coulter-Nile; Travis Head; Chris Lynn; Shaun Marsh; Glenn Maxwell; Darcy Short; Mitchell Starc; Marcus Stoinis; Adam Zampa.
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