Victorian allrounder Marcus Stoinis, Western Australian spinner Ashton Agar and Queensland batsman Joe Burns are set to make their One Day International debuts for Australia on the Qantas tour of the British Isles as part of a new-look post-World Cup limited overs squad.
The uncapped trio were today included in the Australian squad to prepare for the ODI and T20 International matches against England and Ireland following the Fifth and final Test at The Oval from 20 August.
Australia will play a one-off ODI against Ireland in Belfast on 27 August before taking on England in the sole T20I match of the Ashes series on 31 August in Cardiff.
The reigning World Cup champions then play five ODIs against England between 3-13 September.
Stoinis, 25, is originally from Western Australia where he played for the Alcohol. Think Again Warriors and Perth Scorchers BBL team before shifting to Melbourne before the 2013-14 season.
He has since played for the Commonwealth Bank Victorian Bushrangers and Melbourne Stars BBL team and recently toured with Australia A in India.
Burns, 25, is coming off a powerhouse 154 from 131 balls for Australia A against India A in Chennai last week.
The my FootDR Queensland Bulls right-hander made his Test debut last summer in the Boxing Day clash against India at the MCG, scoring a pair of half centuries in his only two Tests to date.
Chairman of the National Selection Panel (NSP) Rod Marsh said while the squad contained a number of fresh faces, it was balanced by the inclusion of several members of the winning World Cup line-up.
“The squad we have selected has a few fresh faces in it as well as some experienced players that will provide us with the right balance,’’ he said.
“Joe has impressed us immensely over in India with Australia A. He is a very capable young batsman who has experience opening, and we think he will grab his opportunity with the white ball during this Series.
“Marcus has performed very well in India during the four-day Series and we have always liked that option of the extra all-rounder in our side, so with James Faulkner’s unavailability, this is a great opportunity for Marcus.”
Faulkner was not considered for inclusion after being convicted last month in England of driving under the influence of alcohol.
Queensland and Hobart Hurricanes leg-spinner Cameron Boyce has been included for the T20 International but current T20 International captain Aaron Finch was not selected after fracturing his foot while playing for Yorkshire last month.
“The reality is Aaron isn’t fit for selection at this stage and he also hasn’t played as much cricket as we would have liked him to following a couple of serious injuries,’’ Marsh said.
“He may look to return to Yorkshire, fitness dependent, for a few games at the end of the season as he prepares for the Matador Cup at home in October.”
Following Brad Haddin’s retirement from one-day cricket after the World Cup campaign earlier this year, Victorian gloveman Matthew Wade returns to keep wicket for the squad and is set to play his first ODI since November 2014.
Marsh said: “Matt has done a good job in the short form of the game in the absence of Brad Haddin in the past and now with Brad’s retirement from one-day cricket we think he will step up nicely into the position. His form with the bat during the Australia A Series and also at the start of last summer has also been very good.”
West Australian left-arm spinner Ashton Agar secures the spinning option in the squad.
Marsh said: “Ashton has performed very well with the ball since his return from shoulder surgery including taking five wickets in the recent Australia A game in India. He has played in these conditions over here before and the NSP believes he has a very bright future.”
Steve Smith will captain the 15-man squad, which contains eight members of the victorious World Cup team that defeated New Zealand in the Final at the MCG in March.
Victorian fast bowler James Pattinson is another in line to make an ODI return, included for the first time since January 2014, as is Western Australian paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile who last played limited overs for Australia in November last year but missed the final World Cup squad.
Marsh said fast bowlers Mitchell Johnson and Josh Hazlewood would return to Australia following the final Test to begin their preparation for the coming summer.
“After Test matches both here and in the West Indies, we have opted to give both of those fast bowlers the opportunity to have a pre-season build-up in the lead-up to what will be another busy Australian season,’’ he said.
Australia ODI squad: Steve Smith (capt), Ashton Agar, George Bailey, Joe Burns, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Patrick Cummins, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (wk), Shane Watson, David Warner.
Australia ODI squad: Steve Smith (capt), Ashton Agar, George Bailey, Joe Burns, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Patrick Cummins, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (wk), Shane Watson, David Warner.
Australia T20I squad: Steve Smith (capt), Ashton Agar, George Bailey, Joe Burns, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Patrick Cummins, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (wk), Shane Watson, David Warner, Cameron Boyce.