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Tim Paine and Aaron Finch will share Australia’s limited-overs leadership duties in England this June, with Alex Carey promoted to the Twenty20 vice-captaincy. Also, Nathan Lyon and favoured son Shaun Marsh have been recalled in the first squads to bear the selection fingerprints of the new coach Justin Langer.
In the absence of the suspended Steven Smith and David Warner, Paine has been elevated to the ODI captaincy 12 months out from the 2019 World Cup in England, as Langer seeks continuity and consistency of message in a team now searching for a fresh outlook and identity following the disastrous South Africa Test tour. The selection chairman Trevor Hohns made it clear this was a short-term choice, with options still open for the captaincy ahead of the global tournament.
At the same time, the selected ODI combination is intended to bring about a change in the team’s 50-over fortunes after an underwhelming 12 months in the format, with England looming not only as hosts but one of the hardest sides to beat in the World Cup, a tournament Australia won on home soil in 2015. Curiously there was no room for Chris Lynn in either format.
Langer’s influence can be seen in the selection of no fewer than six members of the West Australian set-up in the ODI squad, including the powerful left-hander D’Arcy Short. Marsh’s recall at 34 gives him a chance to win a consistent ODI place ahead of the World Cup. “Obviously, these are the conditions we will face during the tournament so now is a perfect chance to give these players an opportunity to press their case for selection,” Hohns said.
“Tim is a strong leader and will captain the side for this series, supported by Aaron. A decision on a permanent one-day captain will be made in due course. D’Arcy is relatively new to one-day cricket but impressed us with his form in T20 cricket last season. He brings an all-round package to the side, with strong fielding and bowling skills and we believe he will combine very well with Aaron at the top of the order.”
Carey was one of the brightest performers from the Big Bash League in 2017-18, finishing as the tournament’s second-highest run-scorer. He was awarded an Australia contract in April.
More to follow
Daniel Brettig is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. @danbrettig
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo