☰

Australia announce Test, ODI squad for West Indies series

Steve Smith will open in red-ball cricket and lead the side in ODIs

By Web Desk

January 10, 2024

Australian players celebrate together after taking a wicket. — AFP

Cricket Australia (CA) announced their squads for Test and ODI matches against West Indies which will be played from January to February.

The two-match Test series begins at Adelaide Oval on January 17 where Australia will look to strengthen their position in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 table after whitewashing Pakistan recently.

Steve Smith will open in red-ball cricket alongside Usman Khawaja since the opening spot was up for grabs after David Warner put an end to his red-ball career. Cameroon Green and Smith were the frontrunners but the 34-year-old was eventually selected.

"There were plenty within the team who were pretty keen to go on record and say that they weren't keen to do it," said selector George Bailey.

"So it was refreshing that Steve had come forward and said he wanted it and it was something that we'd been chatting about in the background as a selection panel with the coaches as well.

"It's selfless that someone who has had so much success in one position or a couple of positions in the middle order is open and willing and hungry to have a crack at something new and something different."

CA also named the squad for the three-match ODI series which will begin on February 2 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Australia squad for first Test: Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc.

Australia ODI squad: Steve Smith (captain), Travis Head, Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson, Matt Short, Adam Zampa