Australia drop Glenn Maxwell, call-up Labuschagne for India ODIs

All-rounders, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis did not find a place in Australia’s squad for the ODI series against India next month, announced early today morning, as 2019’s standout batsman, Marnus Labuschagne found a place in the team’s limited-overs’ set-up for the first time.

The 14-man list also excluded star spinner, Nathan Lyon as Australia made seven changes from their World Cup squad. Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Josh Hazlewood, Peter Handscomb and Ashton Turner were the others in the squad not part of the World Cup.

JUST IN: Australia's ODI squad to tour India next month #INDvAUS

Aaron Finch (c)
Sean Abbott
Ashton Agar
Alex Carey (vc)
Pat Cummins (vc)
Peter Handscomb
Josh Hazlewood
Marnus Labuschagne
Kane Richardson
Steven Smith
Mitchell Starc
Ashton Turner
David Warner
Adam Zampa

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2019

Labuschagne, who shot into the top 10 Test rankings earlier this month on the back of consecutive Test hundreds against Pakistan, has been rewarded with for his stupendous form in recent times. He also proved his credentials with an average of 60 in the recently-concluded Marsh ODI Cup, Australia’s domestic one-day tournament.

Hazlewood, currently out of the ongoing New Zealand Test series with an injury, has also been named as part of a four-man pace quartet, which includes Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Sean Abbott, who in all probability travels as the back-up. Hazlewood, often referred to as the modern-day McGrath for his consistent line and lengths, missed out on a World Cup ticket earlier this year.

Read | Glenn Maxwell makes return to cricket after mental health break

Ashton Turner and Peter Handscomb, the latter having made it to Australia’s World Cup team only as a late injury replacement for Usman Khawaja, have been named for their ability to play spin and also for their heroics in the sub-continent on Australia’s tour earlier this year.

Alex Carey, who enjoyed a great World Cup campaign, and Pat Cummins have been named as joint deputies to Aaron Finch, who continues to captain the side after he led them to the World Cup semi-finals and whitewash victories over Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the recent T2o series.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Saeed Khan

Khawaja achieves career best spot in ODI rankings

Indian captain Virat Kohli and his deputy Rohit Sharma continue to dominate the ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings, while the likes of Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis and Usman Khawaja have taken a significant leap in the standings.

Khawaja, who scored 383 runs at 76.60 in Australia’s 5-match ODI series against India which included two tons, took a giant 85-place leap to acquire his career-best ranking of 25. His teammate Pat Cummins, who too was instrumental in Australia’s series win over India, moved 13 spots ahead to enter the top-10. He sits seventh in the bowling rankings.

Furthermore, a player of the series performance against Sri Lanka on home soil has helped South African batsman Quinton de Kock to acquire the fourth spot in the standings. While his compatriot, Faf du Plessis sits just a place behind at fifth – level on points with Pakistan batsman, Babar Azam.

Playing an integral role in South Africa’s clean sweep over Sri Lanka, spinner Imran Tahir, too, has gained places, moving to the fourth spot bowler’s rankings.

Meanwhile, Indian all-rounder Kedar Jadhav has attended his career-best ranking of 24, while Chris Gayle’s two hard-hitting centuries against England has moved him to the 41st spot. His teammate, Shimron Hetmyer, too, has taken a significant jump by acquiring the 23rd spot. Also, New Zealand opener Martin Guptill, who scored two tons against Bangladesh, has benefited from his exploits as well. He sits ninth on the table.

In the team rankings, Australia’s series win over India has helped them in taking a leap above Pakistan to grab the fifth spot. New Zealand, on the other hand, have overtaken South Africa to grab the third spot.

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Resilience and fight' - Australia target World Cup win after stunning India

Buoyed by their come-from-behind one-day series triumph in India, skipper Aaron Finch believes resurgent Australia have the blueprint in place to win the upcoming World Cup.

Sajjad Hussain / AFP

Despite missing banned batsmen Steve Smith and David Warner, Australia bounced back from a 0-2 deficit to clinch the series with a comfortable 35-run win in the final ODI in New Delhi on Wednesday.

It was Australia's first ODI series win in India since 2009, when a Ricky Ponting-led side won a seven-match series 4-2, and follows humbling home Test and ODI series defeats against the same opposition.

"It's unbelievable, the resilience and fight that we showed," Finch said. "Being down 2-0 it would have been easy to roll over. Those small moments in the game, to just let them drift away and India win the series.

"But the fight that we showed, we've had our backs against the wall for quite a while now so I'm really proud of the group."

Australian cricket has suffered a torrid year since Smith, Warner and Cameron Bancroft were banned for ball-tampering during a Test last March, an incident that prompted a national outcry.

Australia's Test series defeat in December to January was their first to India on home soil, and they also went down 2-1 to the visitors in a three-match ODI series.

"People have written us off for quite a while now," said Finch.

"We always knew that the plans and the style that we wanted to play are all there (and) can win us the World Cup," he added.

- Langer's selection headache -

Opener Usman Khawaja's second century of the series guided Australia to 272 for nine on Wednesday, a total their bowlers defended by dismissing India for 237.

The left-handed batsman accumulated 383 runs in the five ODI games to top the series run chart ahead of India skipper Virat Kohli.

Khawaja, who was named man of the series, said it was a sweet revenge after the home ODIs defeat to India early this year.

"It's huge. Just winning a series in India is huge. It's a tough place to come and play cricket, against a very good side," Khawaja said.

"They beat us in Australia, so to come back from those first couple of losses and win three in a row to win the series is a great feeling."

Adam Zampa took three wickets to lead Australia's bowling at Delhi's Feroz Shah Kotla ground. Pacemen Pat Cummins, Jhye Richardson and Marcus Stoinis also claimed two each.

Ashton Turner, who made his ODI debut in the opening match of the series, hit a match-winning blitz of 84 not out in the fourth game to make a case for the World Cup squad.

Coach Justin Langer said he was "incredibly proud" of a team who also swept the two-match Twenty20 series.

"It is going to be tough to pick the World Cup squad. It has been an unbelievable ride since India arrived in Australia," Langer said.

"I think Jhye Richardson and Pat Cummins are forming a great partnership, they can also contribute with the bat. Usman Khawaja also has been fantastic, having not played much of white-ball cricket, in the last 12 months."

The 12-month bans handed down to Smith and Warner by Cricket Australia for their role in the Cape Town ball-tampering incident end on March 28 and the duo are expected to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) before the World Cup starting May 30.

Australia now head to the UAE to play Pakistan in a five-match series starting March 22 before the 50-over World Cup begins in late May in England and Wales.

Khawaja, bowlers humble India in series decider

Opener Usman Khawaja Wednesday credited teamwork for Australia's come-from-behind 3-2 series victory over India after his sublime century helped the tourists win the fifth one-day international by 35 runs.

Sajjad Hussain / AFP

Khawaja's 100 off 106 balls guided the tourists to 272 for nine and their bowlers combined to dismiss India for 237 at Delhi's Feroz Shah Kotla ground. Leg-spinner Adam Zampa claimed three wickets while pacemen Pat Cummins, Jhye Richardson and Marcus Stoinis took two each to set up Australia's first win in a five-match ODI series after being 0-2 down.

But the left-handed Khawaja, who hit 10 fours and two sixes in his match-winning knock, stood out for the tourists with his second ton of the series. His scores of 50, 38, 104 and 91 in the previous matches made him the highest run-getter in the five matches above India skipper Virat Kohli.

"It's a lot of fun scoring hundreds and even more fun winning games. Very good to come back from 0-2 down, and never easy to beat India at home," said an excited Khawaja.

"Our spinners, and our batters adapted really well and at the end of the day, it was a really good team performance... Even when we lost the first two games, we had a good vibe in the dressing room," he added.

The left-right batting pair of Khawaja and Handscomb stayed firm during a 99-run stand to lay the foundation of their team's total after skipper Aaron Finch was out on 27.

- 'Passion, hunger and heart' -

Khawaja got the second hundred of his ODI career with a single off Kuldeep Yadav as he waved the bat to an applauding Australian dressing room.

He lost his wicket in the next over to paceman Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who returned figures of 3-48, with a drive to cover and Kohli took a safe catch. Ravindra Jadeja returned to get the dangerous Glenn Maxwell for one and Handscomb was caught behind off Shami as Australia slipped to 182-4.

The Aussies kept losing wickets but Richardson played a useful cameo of 29 off 21 deliveries before being run out on the final ball of the 50th over.

In reply, India were reduced to 132 for six but Kedar Jadhav, who made 44, and Kumar threatened to pull off the chase during their 91-run stand for the seventh wicket.

Cummins got Kumar caught and bowled for 46 and Richardson sent back Jadhav to silence the home crowd. Earlier Cummins drew first blood after getting Shikhar Dhawan caught behind for 12 on a pacy away-going delivery.

But it was Stoinis who got Kohli's prized scalp after the star batsman edged a cross-seam delivery to wicketkeeper Alex Carey. He was on 20. Spinner Nathan Lyon and Zampa then combined to get a wicket each and the hosts slipped to 120 for four midway into the innings.

Rohit Sharma, who survived a dropped chance on 53, could not capitalise on the spill by Glenn Maxwell off Zampa as he got out to the same bowler three runs later.

"Australia played with more passion, hunger and heart and they deserved to win," Kohli said in the post-match press conference.

"They were brave in pressure situations compared to our game, especially in the last three games, the way they handled the pressure, they really deserved to win."

It was India's final ODI before the World Cup in England and Wales starting May 30.

Australia head to the UAE to play Pakistan in a five-match ODI series starting March 22.

Khawaja: The US-MAN of the hour

Coming into the 5-match ODI series that saw India hosts Australia before they got into the T20 groove with Indian T20 League, not many knew what to expect. For a few Indians, this was to be a last opportunity to make their case for a themselves ahead of the ICC World Cup in the summer, while for Australia, this was an opportunity to get their act together after the humiliation at home before the World Cup came calling.

The series began in an all but familiar fashion with the Indian skipper Virat Kohli leading the hosts to comfortable wins in the opening two games. Kohli, once again, made batting look as easy as it could get while the Aussies barely get their act together. Shankar, meanwhile, made most of the opportunity that came his way to lead India to victory in the second ODI with a fine last over.

For the Australians, however, it wasn't until the third ODI that they found their man. Usman Khawaja seemed one among the struggling pack until he notched up a well-crafted maiden ODI ton. His innings was laced with 11 fours and a six, with the Australian going at a strike rate of almost 100. The Indian bowlers barely could find a way to counter Khawaja.

Khawaja hit a 104-run knock and shared a 193-run stand with captain Aaron Finch to play a significant role in Australia's 32-run win. That, however, just a teaser of what to come as 32-year-old scored 91 in the fourth before bringing up another century (100) in the fifth tie to become the first Aussie to score two tons against India in a bilateral series.

It would not be hard to argue that the left-hander brought back memories of legendary opener Matthew Hayden as he almost arrogantly walked down the pitch to meet the pacemen's deliveries head-on. Be it his drives, or the cut shots or the sweep shots, Khawaja showcased a wide array of shots that left the Indian bowlers asking questions too often than not.

With the World Cup fast approaching, and Australia struggling to get their combination right ahead of the English summer, Khawaja's from is something that the World Champions can bank upon going into the quadrennial event.

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India, Australia make two changes apiece for series decider

Both India and Australia have made two changes for their fifth and final game of the five-match ODI series. The series is currently tied at 2-2 after Australia made a glaring comeback from being 2-0 down.

Saeed Khan / AFP

For the hosts, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been called up to replace Yuzvendra Chahal, while KL Rahul, who scored a 31-ball 26 in previous ODI, has made way for pacer Mohammed Shami. Speaking about his team, captain Virat Kohli explained,

"In terms of team composition, we know which way we are going for the World Cup. We are not invincible, and there will be sides that can beat us if they play better cricket on the day. Chahal misses out and Jadeja comes in as an all-rounder, and KL misses out to make way for Shami. An extra bowling option for us, and this, we feel is our most balanced side.”

Australia, who have won the toss and have elected to bat, see their all-rounder Marcus Stoinis making a comeback following his thumb fracture. The 29-year-old was expected to miss out on the squad but has made a significant recovery. Ashton Turner, who delivered a man-of-the-match performance at Mohali, has kept his place, while Nathan Lyon has been recalled in place of Jason Behrendorff.

"It's important to keep the momentum, whenever you get the opportunities with the bat, take it, and take the team across the line. Shaun Marsh misses out for Stoinis, Lyon comes in for Behrendorff,” said Australian captain Aaron Finch after the toss.

India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli(c), Rishabh Pant(w), Kedar Jadhav, Vijay Shankar, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah

Australia (Playing XI): Aaron Finch(c), Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Ashton Turner, Alex Carey(w), Jhye Richardson, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, Nathan Lyon

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Australia confident of stunning ODI series win over India

Vice-captain Alex Carey said Tuesday that Australia are confident of sealing what would be a stunning one-day international series victory in India after two wins on the trot.

Prakash Singh / AFP

Having been two down to the hosts, Australia bounced back to win the third and fourth ODIs to level the series, including with a record 359-run chase on Sunday.

"We were put under pressure early in the series. It is obviously really exciting going into tomorrow with the series on the line," Carey told reporters on the eve of the fifth ODI in New Delhi.

"Obviously (we are taking) some momentum from the last game. The boys are feeling confident," he said.

If Aaron Finch and company win, it would be the only Aussie team to win a five-match ODI series after losing the first two matches either at home or abroad.

Australia, who swept the two-match Twenty20 series to kick of their limited-overs tour of India on a strong note, have posted two 300-plus scores in their last two outings.

Ashley Turner was an unlikely hero in the previous match in Mohali when the middle-order batsman smashed an unbeaten 84 off 43 deliveries to lead Australia's highest-ever ODI chase.

Finch, Usman Khawaja and Peter Handscomb have also all contributed in a big way, and Carey believes it would be hard to name a standout performer in the series.

"I think if you look across the board everyone has performed at times. For Usman Khawaja, to back up his hundred with a score of 90 (91) was impressive to see," the wicketkeeper-batsman said.

"...I can go across the whole side and say that everyone's improving."

- Smith and Warner -

Carey said Australia's recent performances only add to their team plans which will take better shape when names like Steve Smith and David Warner join the side after their suspension.

"Those are definitely some big names that might come back into the line. It's only healthy for Australian cricket that the guys in the side are playing well and these guys that have done really well in the past have definitely put their hand up for selection when they are available," said Carey.

"We are really confident moving with the squad we take whoever that is to the World Cup that is going to perform. We have obviously got tomorrow to focus on" he added.

India's bowling coach Bharat Arun said the team is looking to get their combinations right in what will their final ODI before the World Cup in England and Wales starting May 30.

"We would like to try out all our options before the World Cup," Arun said.

"Definitely there are certain areas we need to address both in bowling and batting. We have to stay positive whatever has happened," he added.

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Stoinis a doubt for fifth ODI after fracturing thumb

Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis is likely to miss the series decider fifth ODI against India after it was confirmed that he has a fracture on his right thumb.

Jewel Samad / AFP

The 29-year-old, who is Australia's reigning men's ODI player of the year, picked up the injury while fielding during his side 32-run win in the third ODI in Ranchi and was replaced by Ashton Turner for the fourth ODI.

Stoinis was assessed ahead of the fourth ODI, but having failed the fitness test, Cricket Australia has confirmed that he remains a doubt for the series decider. Speaking about the extent of his injury, teammate Peter Handscomb called for patience.

"He'll look to play at some stage but it's just pain management with him," Handscomb said.

"When it's your bottom-hand thumb it makes it hard to hold the bat.

"We've just got to wait and see with him."

Up until now, Stoinis has played a critical role in Australia’s tour of India, having scored 37, 52 and 31 in three ODIs. His replacement for the fourth ODI, Aston Turner, however, made sure the absence wasn’t felt by scoring a match-winning knock of 84 from just 43 balls.

Stoinis' dearth though was experienced in bowling department which led to the likes of Aaron Finch and Glenn Maxwell sharing the stakes. The duo gave away 83 runs in a combined 11 overs (3 Finch and 8 Maxwell).

Handscomb, Turner help Australia chase record 359 in 4th ODI

Peter Handscomb's maiden century and a blistering 84 from Ashton Turner helped Australia chase down a record 359 against India to level the series at 2-2 in the fourth one-day international on Sunday.

Prakash Singh / AFP

Turner's 43-ball blitz in Mohali gave Australia the win by four wickets with 13 balls to spare in their highest ever run chase.

The Baggy Greens' previous best was a race to 334 against England in 2011 in Sydney.

A 192-run second-wicket partnership between Handscomb, who smashed 117 off 105 balls, and Usman Khawaja, who made 91, was key to take the series into the final ODI in Delhi on Wednesday.

Turner, who made his debut in the opening ODI and playing just his second match, also built crucial partnerships including an 86-run stand with Alex Carey, who made 21.

The 26-year-old Turner, who replaced an injured Marcus Stoinis in the playing XI, hit 5 fours and 6 sixes to smash the bowlers to all parts of the ground.

"The plan was to take the game as deep as we could. Ashton playing his second game and playing a match-winning knock and Peter playing such a knock and Usman coming to form was wonderful," skipper Aaron Finch said after the win.

"We have seen him do that a lot in Big Bash. It was a world-class knock and to take on two of the best death bowlers in the world was outstanding," Finch added in praise of man of the match Turner.

- Dhawan shines -

Earlier Shikhar Dhawan struck a career-best 143 to guide India to 358 for nine after electing to bat first.

The hosts rode on a 193-run opening stand between Dhawan and Rohit Sharma, who made 95, to post a big total.

Australia were 12 for two in their chase after Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowled Finch for nought and fellow paceman Jasprit Bumrah got Shaun Marsh for six.

Bumrah took three wickets but the Indian spinners were at the receiving end of some attacking play in dew-laden conditions and sloppy fielding.

Rishabh Pant, doing the keeping duties in place of the rested Mahendra Singh Dhoni missed a chance to stump Turner on 38 and the innings also witnessed a few dropped catches.

"It became too wet to bowl, it was very difficult to bowl in the right areas. Crucial (about the stumping chance), we were sloppy in the field and should've grabbed our chances," said captain Virat Kohli.

"But Ashton (Turner) played one hell of a knock, Handscomb and Khawaja played well too but Ashton's innings was the game-changer."

Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins returned his best-ever ODI figures of 5-70 in 10 overs.

Dhawan, who has been struggling to get big scores in recent times, struck form as he reached his fifty in 44 deliveries to take the attack to the opposition.

The right-left batting combination of Sharma and Dhawan mixed the right dose of caution and aggression to lay the foundation for India's big total. Sharma registered his 40th ODI fifty but missed out on a hundred after falling to Jhye Richardson, who took three wickets.

Dhawan went on to register his 16th ODI ton and his first in 18 innings amid crowd cheers and a standing ovation from the Indian dressing room.

He surpassed his previous best of 137 in ODIs before being bowled by Cummins, striking 18 fours and three sixes in his 115-ball knock.

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"I was only waiting for an opportunity," says Vijay Shankar

Eyebrows were raised, questions were asked, and Twitter went into a frenzy when a certain Vijay Shankar was given the nod to bowl the final over in India's second ODI against Australia in Nagpur. With Australia needing 11 runs from the final six balls and Marcus Stoinis Still on the crease, it was indeed a massive decision given that he had conceded 13 runs in his only over earlier in the game.

Fortunately for the hosts, the gamble paid off with Shankar sending Stoinis back to the stands after getting him plumb in front of the wicket. The game was eventually put to bed when Adam Zampa was bowled off in the third delivery.

"It was an opportunity to redeem myself after the expensive over I bowled," Shankar told in an interview with Star Sports.

"I was literally waiting for this opportunity, wanted to bowl under pressure because only if I deliver, will they trust me. I was up for the challenge. Around the 43rd over, I was telling myself that I am bowling the final over and (have to) defend the score, just prepared myself a bit."

I thought I should be mentally ready to go and bowl and defend 10 runs an over. I was just clear about what I have to do. I think of things helped me when I came on bowl. I didn' t have pressure, to be honest," he added.

Ahead of the possible World Cup call, Shankar made his intentions quite clear even with the bat. Barring an unfortunate dismissal, the 28-year-old had forged a formidable partnership with skipper Virat Kohli by scoring 46 of 41 deliveries.

"It's about staying clear mentally. I wanted to just stick to the basics, hit the stumps from a hard length as there was a bit of reverse. When you play for the country, you have to be ready to do what the team needs. I always say to myself to keep working on all aspects of my game so that when the opportunity arrives, I am ready to grab it," Shankar said.

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