Sydney – Middle-order batsman Peter Handscomb will make his limited overs debut for Australia against Pakistan in the third one-day international in Perth on Thursday.
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Handscomb replaces the injured Mitchell Marsh after a highly successful introduction to Test cricket in which the 25-year-old scored two centuries and two fifties in his first four appearances in the recent series against South Africa and Pakistan.
“He’s done really well, he’s been outstanding. So good reward for a good summer,” Australian coach Darren Lehmann told reporters Wednesday.
“Obviously we want four quality batters going at the top so he’ll get his chance there.
“He played a one-day style innings for us in the Sydney Test, so he’s got all the shots and he’s quite innovative,” Lehmann said.
Fast bowler Billy Stanlake comes in for Mitchell Starc, who is being rested.
Chris Lynn, who missed Sunday’s loss because of a neck injury, will be out for the remainder of the five-match series which is tied at 1-1, Lehman said.
Australia: Steve Smith (capt), David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade, James Faulkner, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Billy Stanlake
Update on January 16
Fast bowler Mitchell Starc and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh will miss the third one-day international against Pakistan in Perth on Thursday, Cricket Australia said.
Australia´s leading strike bowler needs a rest while Marsh has been carrying a shoulder injury.
Starc will re-join the squad in Sydney for the fourth match in the five-leg series.
“Mitchell has had a very big six months and played a significant amount of cricket,” said interim national selector Trevor Hohns.
“We needed to find an opportunity to give him a break and with his schedule in the comings months we believe now is the appropriate time to give him a match off.”
Marsh has been managing his shoulder but can´t keep going any longer, said physiotherapist David Beakley.
“It is now at a point where he is unable to function at the level required.
“He now requires a period of rest and rehabilitation in order to return to full fitness,” Beakley said.
Marsh, aged 25, will miss the rest of the ODI series but was named in Australia´s 16-man squad to tour India next month and hopes to recover in time.
New batsman Chris Lynn has also been ruled out of the Perth match with an ongoing neck injury but hopes to be fit for the rest of the series.
Selectors added middle order batsman Peter Handscomb to the ODI squad while a replacement for Marsh will be announced in due course.
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Source: Cricket.com.pk