Sydney: Cricket Australia (CA) has named a squad with several new faces for their upcoming ODI series against the Pakistan national cricket team, with teenage batting sensation Oliver Peak and rising all-rounder Liam Scott getting their first senior call-up.
Australia will tour Pakistan for a three-match ODI series starting on May 30, but several senior stars including captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood have been rested as they prepare for the upcoming home Test series against Bangladesh.
The selectors have instead opted for a new-look squad with a mix of emerging and returning players. Billy Stanlake has earned his first national call-up since 2019.
Players involved in the latter stages of the ongoing Indian Premier League will miss the Pakistan series, with Travis Head, Cooper Connolly, Xavier Bartlett and Ben Twarshuis set to join the squad in Bangladesh after their IPL commitments end.
Head of National Selection George Bailey said the tours provide a great opportunity to develop players in the subcontinent.
“It’s always exciting for new players to get the chance to play international cricket and be part of the national team,” said head of national selection George Bailey.
“A combination of experienced players combined with new or returning players will provide a good mix for these subcontinental tours.
“Continuing to provide opportunities for players to develop a wide range of conditions and experiences is important and will continue to be a focus over the next 18 months to two years.”
Peake, 19, has already impressed in domestic cricket with multiple match-winning wins for Victoria and the Melbourne Renegades, while the Scot enjoyed a breakthrough Sheffield Shield campaign and played a key role in South Australia’s title-winning season.
The ODI series will begin on May 30 in Rawalpindi, while the remaining two matches will be played in Lahore on June 2 and June 4.
Australia squad for Pakistan ODI: Mitchell Marsh (c), Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhneman, Marnus Labuschagne, Riley Meredith, Oliver Peak, Matthew Renshaw, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Scott, Matt Short, Billy Stanlake and Adam Stanlake.
Australia Schedule for Pakistan ODI Series: