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Steve Smith To Lead Australia As Cummins Rested With Fellow Big Pacers

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Pat Cummins has been rested for West Indies ODIs (Twitter)

Pat Cummins and his longstanding partners in crime Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood appear set to rest out the limited-overs section of the home summer after being given a breather by the selectors on Wednesday (January 10) for the three-match ODI series against the West Indies. Meanwhile, in Cummins' absence, Steve Smith will be captaining the reigning world champions.

After taking part in the two-match Test series played for the Frank Worrell Trophy, which comes on the back of three consecutive Tests at the height of the summer versus Pakistan, skipper Cummins will be resting Australia's first One-Day assignment since winning the ICC World Cup 2023 in November along with Starc and Hazlewood. 

Another of Australia's India heroes, Travis Head has been named Smith's deputy for the series versus the struggling Calypso Kings. 


Australia to Trial Back-Up Pace Options vs WI 

The selectors and the management's decision to rest the Big Three quicks has once again given Australia's backup fast-bowling arsenal a chance to rise up to the task and take a leap with their respective games. 

Among them, Western Australia speedster Lance Morris is the most exciting of the lot after being given a maiden ODI call-up. Making a comeback to the side is Jhye Richardson after sustained injury struggles. The right-arm swing bowler last played the 50-over format in June 2022 on a tour of Sri Lanka. 

Morris and Johnson will be joined by Sean Abbott and Nathan Ellis on the fast-bowling front with Aaron Hardie acting as one of the utility all-rounders alongside match-winner Glenn Maxwell. Notably, Hardie makes the cut above limited-overs specialist Marcus Stoinis in his role while Mitchell Marsh stands rested. 

"It is a little over 12 months until the Champions Trophy and further opportunities for the likes of Aaron Hardie, Matt Short, Jhye Richardson, and Nathan Ellis will be valuable both to our ongoing improvement as a team and also further their personal experiences in ODI cricket," chief selector George Bailey told the press. 


"The squad strikes a balance between players continuing to make their mark on international cricket, playing alongside some of our most experienced players with an eye to the future in this format," he added.

The three-match ODI series starts off on February 2 in Melbourne followed by games in Sydney and Canberra on February 4 and 6, respectively. 


Australia's ODI squad for West Indies

Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson, Matt Short, Adam Zampa.