ADELAIDE // Australia on Monday named virtually the same squad for an ODI series in New Zealand next month as the line-up that triumphed over India, controversially leaving out “red-hot” batsman Usman Khawaja.
“This squad remains largely unchanged after a fantastic series win against India,” national selector Rod Marsh said. “We have selected Adam Zampa as the spinning option for this tour in place of Nathan Lyon.”
Australia want their leading spinner to return to domestic action to prepare for the upcoming two-Test series in New Zealand.
“This will give us a chance to have a good look at Adam ahead of the ICC World T20,” Marsh added. That tournament takes place in India during March and April.
“Adam has certainly put forward a strong case for selection through good performances in the KFC Big Bash [League], and we think he has thoroughly earned this opportunity.”
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But there was no place for Khawaja despite his Man of the Match-winning performance in the BBL final on Sunday night when he hit 70 off 40 deliveries.
Selector Mark Waugh led a charge for Khawaja’s inclusion, arguing that he was the top opener in the world today.
“He is batting as well as anyone can possibly bat,” Waugh said.
Sydney’s Daily Telegraph said yesterday that if Khawaja was not in the squad, “it will be the biggest embarrassment of the summer and create uproar in cricketing circles”.
Selector Marsh said it was a tough call to leave out Khawaja, saying they had “tried our hardest to work him into the side”.
“He’s in red-hot form and it’s just a shame that we can’t fit him in,” he added.
“We just couldn’t find anyone to drop, to leave out of the side because they are all in fantastic form.
“We’d love to have him in the side. We’d love to be able to pick 16 or 17 – because I think there’s 16 or 17 that actually deserve to be in our one-day side.”
Marsh chose to focus on the challenges to be faced in New Zealand.
“We know one of the biggest challenges we will face in New Zealand is adapting to the change in conditions,” he said.
“The New Zealand side will be very tough to beat in their home conditions.
“We know we will need to be at the top of our game if we want to be competitive.”
The Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series starts in Auckland on February 3 and moves on to Wellington on February 6 and Hamilton February 8 with the Test matches to follow.
Bittersweet victory for Black Caps over Pakistan
WELLINGTON // New Zealand’s Mitchell McClenaghan is to undergo surgery for a fractured eye socket after suffering a nasty blow to the face in Monday’s ODI victory against Pakistan.
An express delivery from Anwar Ali smashed through the grille of McClenaghan’s helmet and hit him on the left eye on the penultimate ball of the New Zealand innings.
The tailender was left prone on the ground for a few seconds before getting up to cheers from the crowd and making his way off the field with blood and bruising around the eye.
He was taken to hospital for the wound to be stitched and later tweeted he had suffered “a few broken bones”.
A team spokesman said doctors had confirmed a slight fracture to the eye socket and McClenaghan would undergo “minor surgery” in Auckland on Friday.
McClenaghan retired hurt on 31 after featuring in a 73-run stand in 33 balls with Matt Henry for the ninth wicket to help New Zealand get up to 280 for eight. Pakistan in reply were all out for 210.
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