Australian fast-bowler Peter Siddle is set to mark his return in the ODI team as the hosts have announced their playing XI for the first ODI against India, scheduled to be played on January 12, at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
Alex Carey is ready to open the batting alongside captain Aaron Finch in Australia’s new-look ODI team. Usman Khawaja will bat at number 3.
Having been picked in the playing XI for the ODI opener, Siddle is set to break the previous record of the biggest gap between consecutive matches for Australia of six years and 282 days by Tim Zoehrer between 1986 and 1994.
Siddle last donned the Australian yellow and green jersey on November 9, 2010 against Sri Lanka. Coincidently, his return will be at the same venue where he played his last ODI.
“With those World Cup spots up for grabs for a lot of people, you definitely see the best come of a lot of blokes,” Siddle said as the team composition was announced on the eve of the 1st One-Day International in Sydney. “You are playing against one of the best one-day teams in the world.
Since David Warner and Steve Smith are still out of the team and World Cup is coming near, Siddle believes this is the right time for the hosts to test out a few options.
“We may not be at full strength, missing a few players we’d probably like to have for the World Cup, but at the same time it’s opportunities. I never thought I’d get the opportunity to play one-day cricket for Australia again. I’d probably forgotten about it really … I feel like a young kid getting his first opportunity”, the Victorian added.
Siddle will be performing the fast bowling duties along with Jhye Richardson and debutant Jason Behrendorff.
Nathan Lyon is the sole spinner in the playing XI and will be assisted by all-rounder Glenn Maxwell.
Australia’s playing XI:
Aaron Finch (c), Alex Carey (wk), Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Jason Behrendorff, Peter Siddle, Nathan Lyon, Jhye Richardson.
