CA announces teams for Pakistan series, Marsh, O’ Keefe could make Test debuts
Hard-hitting batsman Aaron Finch has been appointed as the captain of Australia’s new Twenty20 team after George Bailey stepped down to concentrate on longer format of the game, Cricket Australia said on Monday.
Finch said he was honoured and excited to be take on such a big responsibility. “Having the honour to captain your country in any form of the game is something that all young cricketers dream about. It came as a big surprise but it was a very nice phone call to receive from Rod Marsh,” said Finch.
“I never imagined when captaining in the past that it would lead to national responsibilities. I’ve just set out to be the best player that I can and luckily an opportunity like this has come my way. I have been fortunate enough to play under some fantastic captains, including Michael Clarke and George Bailey and I have learnt a lot from them.
“It goes without saying that I will do my utmost in this role as we lead into the ICC World T20 in about eighteen months’ time. It’s going to be very exciting,” added the opening batsman, who averages 41.25 with a strike rate of 156 in 18 matches for Australia.
Sydney: Spinner Steve O’Keefe and allrounder Mitchell Marsh could make their Test debuts after being named on Monday in Australia’s squad for next month’s series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.
left-armer O’Keefe, 29, was one of three spinners included for a tour expected to be played on slow pitches, and could be the 14th spinner to feature in Tests for Australia since the retirement of Shane Warne in 2007.
Among other notable selections were allrounder Glenn Maxwell and the return of batsman Phil Hughes.
O’Keefe has been long overlooked by Test selectors despite success at domestic first-class level and topped the Sheffield Shield’s wicket tally last season with 41 at 20.43. “We have picked Steve O’Keefe as the extra spinner for the Test tour,” chief selector Rod Marsh said.
“We are unsure what pitch conditions we will encounter in the UAE but we need to be prepared to play two spinners.” Incumbent off-spinner Nathan lyon, who has taken 112 wickets in 33 Tests at 32.99, is expected to be the front-line spinner during the tour with Maxwell offering support.
Marsh, 22, younger brother of Test batsman Shaun Marsh, gets his chance following an explosive unbeaten 86 off 69 balls with seven sixes in a one-dayer against South Africa in Harare this month. “Mitch Marsh is a player of immense talent and is a bright prospect for the future of Australian cricket,” Rod Marsh said. His form with Australia A has been fantastic and he carried that through to the recent Zimbabwe tour. If he gets his opportunity, we know he will make the most of it.”
Hughes will vie with incumbent Alex Doolan for the number three spot in the Test batting order. He will travel to the UAE earlier than his team-mates to work on his batting against spin with coaching consultant and Sri lankan great Muttiah Muralitharan. “Phil has been in excellent form and has been rewarded with a place in the Test squad,” Marsh said.