MELBOURNE: Australia will unleash at least two debutants in their first ODI match since securing a sixth World Cup title.
Only five members of the XI who famously defeated India in the World Cup final last November will appear on Friday when Australia host the West Indies at the MCG.
After terrorising Australian batters in the nets for the best part of 18 months, Western Australian quick Lance Morris is expected to finally make his international debut.
Queenslander Xavier Bartlett will also likely be part of a pace attack with Sean Abbott the most experienced quick with 18 ODIs to his name.
Despite the match being in Melbourne, selectors appear unlikely to opt for sentimental selections but Matt Short, who is coming off dominant BBL campaign after being named player of the tournament, will keep the home crowd happy.
The 28-year-old has opened for Victoria in one-dayers but could be forced to bide his time in the middle-order in Australian colours.
“To be honest I do feel more confident at the top of the order,” Short said on Thursday.
“But any opportunity to get playing for your country, whether it be through the middle or at the top ... if the spot’s there to be taken you just have to take that opportunity.
“Try to do as best you can and sort of wait your turn. Hopefully some good performances in the middle order can maybe open up a spot up top.”
Steve Smith will captain the World Cup winners in Pat Cummins’ absence, with fellow quicks Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood also resting ahead of the New Zealand tour.
The West Indies will approach the three-match series buoyed by their miracle win at the Gabba last week — their first Test win in Australia since 1997.
But the tourists still have a point to prove in white-ball cricket after missing out on qualifying for last year’s ODI World Cup.
“My debut series we won the Champions Trophy under Brian [Lara], but that in Test cricket is right up there.
Two-time T20 World Cup-winning captain Daren Sammy has taken charge as white-ball coach, with the West Indies defeating England in a home series last year and he believes the epic upset at the Gabba can provide inspiration for a generation of Caribbean cricketers.
“You saw the emotions on Carl Hooper’s face, you saw it on Brian Lara,” Sammy said on Thursday. “Watching that Test match, it’s the best thing I’ve seen in West Indies [cricket].
“You see the smile on my face every time you go back to that. I just hope my men, whenever challenges come, they can just remember that if you push through there’s always gold at the end of the rainbow.”
Shamar Joseph, the star of the epic Test win, has returned home after suffering a serious toe injury at the Gabba.
The 24-year-old, who only made his international debut in the first Test of the series in Adelaide, was not even initially included in Sammy’s white-ball squads to play Australia.
“[Joseph] will definitely be an all-format player,” Sammy said. “I can’t wait to get my hands on him in the squad.”
But Sammy urged patience with the explosive talent, who produced a classic spell of 7-68 in the second innings to single-handedly win the match.
“The guy is injured,” he said. “Let him go home and rest. It’s probably the first time he’s been away from home for so long — he’s got a young family.
“Going home to his family and enjoying this moment is important, as victories like that don’t come around [often]. Enjoying these moments, he keeps you motivated to have more moments like that.”
Published in Dawn, February 2nd, 2024
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