Australian paceman Lance Morris has joined the one-day squad for the start of a crucial three-game series against Pakistan, signaling the team’s focus on developing fresh talent ahead of next year’s Champions Trophy.
Morris, known for his raw speed, will be available for the opening match in Melbourne on Monday, marking his first potential international appearance since his debut series against the West Indies in February.
His inclusion comes as veteran Josh Hazlewood remains unavailable for game one, opting instead to play in the Sheffield Shield for New South Wales to regain form ahead of a busy season.
Emerging bowlers Xavier Bartlett and Will Sutherland will bolster Australia’s options later in the series. Queensland’s Bartlett is scheduled to join the squad ahead of Friday’s second match in Adelaide, while Victorian all-rounder Sutherland is on standby to support the team in Perth for the third game next Sunday.
Absence of Hazelwood Gives Opportunity to Young Pace Attack
Hazlewood’s absence leaves a vacancy in Australia’s frontline attack, which will likely be filled by Sean Abbott, who joins Mitchell Starc and ODI captain Pat Cummins for the series opener. Starc, who recently took seven wickets in a Sheffield Shield match, shifts his focus back to national duties alongside Abbott, adding depth to the bowling lineup.
The series also presents an opportunity for Australia to test out a new opening partnership. Matt Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk are set to open in the absence of Travis Head and Mitch Marsh, both of whom will miss game one due to family commitments.
Meanwhile, Hazlewood has made it clear that his focus remains on red-ball cricket as he aims to prepare for Australia’s five-match Test series against India. After recovering from illness that ruled him out of an earlier domestic one-day game, he expressed his intention to bowl roughly 30 overs in the Sheffield Shield to build up stamina for the demanding Test format.
Test spinner Nathan Lyon will rest after featuring in the opening two Shield games for NSW, while Test wicketkeeper Alex Carey will captain South Australia in their Shield clash against Victoria.
The hectic international schedule has also led to adjustments for young talent Cooper Connolly. The rising star, currently playing for Australia A, will miss his side’s second game as he is called up to join Australia’s T20 squad, also set to face Pakistan.
With a mixture of established stars and promising newcomers, Australia’s ODI series against Pakistan provides a prime opportunity to assess their squad depth and shape up for next year’s ChampionsTrophy campaign.
