For the season’s opening ODI series against Zimbabwe and New Zealand in August and September in Far North Queensland, Australia will return to one-day cricket on home soil with a nearly complete squad.
Australia has named a 15-man team for the two ODI series against New Zealand and Zimbabwe, which are set to start on August 28. Adam Zampa is back, but skipper Pat Cummins has been rested. While Cummins’ workload is being regulated considering the amount of cricket that will be played in the second part of the year, including a T20 World Cup, Zampa returns from maternity leave.
The six matches will be split evenly between Townsville (Zimbabwe) and Cairns (New Zealand), while Test captain Pat Cummins has been rested. Batsman Travis Head will also be away since his partner Jess Davies is expecting their first child.
Australia ODI squad: Aaron Finch (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa
“These series against New Zealand, the world’s No.1 ranked ODI side, and Zimbabwe will be good contests and provide an opportunity to play some great cricket in the lead-up to the home summer,” said national selector George Bailey in a statement.
“The team is excited to be marking the start of a huge summer with these matches in North Queensland.”