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Australian squad to face India announced; uncapped fast bowling duo given call-up

Shane Watson has ODI scores of 26*, 6 and 39 since the 2015 World Cup

Australia have named a 13-man squad that will face off against India for the first three ODIs starting from January 12. Uncapped fast bowlers Scott Boland and Joel Paris have been drafted into the team, while notable absentees include Nathan Lyon, Shane Watson, Joe Burns, Usman Khawaja and BBL sensation Chris Lynn.

The tour, consisting of 5 ODIs and 3 T20Is, will continue till 31 January, and  therefore there is scope that some of the players left out from the currently announced squad may yet have some part to play in the series. The Indian squad has already been announced for both the formats.

Fast bowler Kane Richardson also returns to the side having last played for Australia against South Africa in Canberra in 2014. Richardson, Boland, Paris will form part of a new-look Australian pace battery, which will be led by Josh Hazlewood, and will be helped by James Faulkner and Mitchell Marsh.

Frontline pace bowlers Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle and Nathan Coulter-Nile remain sidelined with injuries and will be given more time to recuperate. Glenn Maxwell will provide Australia’s spin option, with there being no space for Lyon, an indication that we can expect extremely seam-friendly conditions.

Lyon remains in picture for World T20: CA

Scott Boland has been on the peripheries of the Australian team, also accompanying the team for the ongoing series against West Indies, but this is a debut call-up for Joel Paris.

"Scott has continued to impress the selection panel, having bowled very well for his state Victoria this year," chairman of selectors Rod Marsh said.

"Joel is an exciting young left-arm bowler who swings the ball well. He has had very good figures in short-form cricket and we really want him to make the most of this opportunity."

Selector Trevor Hohns said Lyon, Australia's leading all-time Test off-spin wicket-taker, was still in the panel's thoughts for future ODIs.

"Nathan is not far out of the picture for one-day cricket, and of course with the (World) T20 coming up it's probably ideal for him to go back and play some of those games," Hohns told reporters.

"We're playing the first few games in Brisbane and Perth where normally you play with your faster bowlers. Glenn Maxwell has done a pretty good job in the spinning role when we're only playing that one type of spinner-cum-all-rounder, plus the quicks."

Lyon will definitely be given more of a chance for the World T20 in subcontinent conditions. For now, India will play five ODIs in Australia starting in Perth on January 12, followed by Brisbane on January 15, Melbourne on January 17, Canberra on January 20 and Sydney on January 23.

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