Australia named rookie spin bowler Jon Holland for its seven-match one-day cricket tour of India starting later this month. Aussies still are without their regular vice-captain Michael Clarke and wicket-keeper Brad Haddin along with Callum Ferguson and Nathan Bracken because of injury.
Holland, 22, a left-arm orthodox spinner, was promoted to the national squad after impressing in recent games for Australia’s second-string team, Cricket Australia said. “Jon Holland is in the squad as we wanted to take the opportunity to give a young left arm finger spinner exposure both to the Australian team set-up and Indian conditions,” NSP Chairman, Andrew Hilditch said.
Clarke still nursing a back injury as Australia appointed Michael Hussey as the vice-captain of its 15-man squad whereas wicket-keeper Haddin is recovering from a finger surgery. “We do have four players unavailable for this tour due to injury. Michael Clarke is continuing his rehabilitation from back soreness and Mike Hussey will be the vice captain for this tour. Brad Haddin continues his rehabilitation from finger surgery, following the injury he picked up during the Ashes series, and Tim Paine, following a fine ICC Champions Trophy, is selected as wicket keeper,” Hilditch said.
“Callum Ferguson continues to consult specialists over the knee injury he picked up during the ICC Champions Trophy final and is not available for this tour. Nathan Bracken is also unavailable due to a knee injury,” Hilditch maintained.
Australia's opening game is scheduled October 25 in Jaipur. Australia, ranked No. 1 by the International Cricket Council, has won three of the four previous one-day series between the teams in India, including a 4-2 victory two years ago. Aussies are currently boost up with their recent success at the ICC Champions Trophy, which came off the back of a very solid ODI series performance against England in England.
“To reclaim our number one ICC world ranking was recognition of this squad’s recent achievements but we recognise we have to continue to improve and to establish a winning culture within this young group of players on tough tours, like this, to India. We expect the Indian series to be extremely testing, but the young squad is looking forward to the challenge,” Hilditch added.
Squad:: Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Hussey (vice-captain), Doug Bollinger, Nathan Hauritz, Jon Holland, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Peter Siddle, Adam Voges, Shane Watson, Cameron White.
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