Three debutants in Australia's top order for ODI

MELBOURNE (AFP) –

Australian batsman Phil Hughes raises his bat after reaching 50 on day two of the third Test against Sri Lanka on January 4, 2013. Australia will field debutants in their top three batting spots in Friday’s one-day international series opener against Sri Lanka in Melbourne. Hughes and Aaron Finch will open the batting.

Australia will field debutants in their top three batting spots in Friday’s one-day international series opener against Sri Lanka in Melbourne.

Captain George Bailey said on Thursday that Aaron Finch and Phil Hughes will open the batting, with left-hander Usman Khawaja coming in at number three.

Bailey will bat at number four in an inexperienced line-up that also includes four-game allrounder Glenn Maxwell.

David Hussey and Brad Haddin add some experience to the middle order.

The selectors resisted naming a fourth debutant, leaving quick Ben Cutting out of the bowling attack.

That leaves Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and Clint McKay to fill the pace spots with Xavier Doherty the specialist spinner, supported by Maxwell and Hussey.

Australia – George Bailey (capt), Aaron Finch, Phil Hughes, Usman Khawaja, David Hussey, Glenn Maxwell, Brad Haddin, Clint McKay, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Xavier Doherty, Steve Smith (12th man).