Pattinson returns at Harris' expense
| ||
James Pattinson has been recalled to Australia's ODI squad for the final phase of the triangular series at the expense of Ryan Harris, after proving himself fit to return from more than a month out of action due to a foot injury.
Having delivered a hostile display for Victoria's Futures League team against South Australia in Adelaide, where he returned match figures of 6 for 37, Pattinson was deemed the right man to replace Harris, who has struggled for rhythm during his ODI appearances in the triangular series.
However John Inverarity, the national selector, stressed that Harris remained a part of Test match plans for the forthcoming tour of the West Indies in April. He was subsequently named as part of the Queensland squad for Thursday's Sheffield Shield fixture against New South Wales at the SCG.
"James Pattinson is fit again and after impressive recent form in a Futures League match in Adelaide, comes into the squad at expense of Ryan Harris, who has been dropped," Inverarity said. "Ryan remains strongly in contention for selection for the Test matches on the tour of the West Indies."
Pattinson was a staunch performer for Australia in the home Tests, winning match awards in Brisbane against New Zealand and Melbourne against India for his fast, aggressive outswing bowling and tidy lower-order batting.
However, he complained of foot soreness during the SCG Test and missed the remainder of the India series as medical staff took care to ensure his stress hot spots did not bloom into fractures.
The other quandary facing the selectors is whether or not to play the captain, Michael Clarke, in Friday's final round-robin fixture against Sri Lanka in Melbourne.
Clarke missed Australia's previous match against India in Sydney due to a back complaint, and after Shane Watson led the side ably at the SCG there may be cause to let Clarke rest until the first final on Sunday in Brisbane.
Inverarity said another player may yet be called into the squad if the circumstances dictated it.
"Michael Clarke is making a good recovery and is likely to resume on Friday," he said. "The selectors will consider adding an extra player to this squad for the Finals matches, if conditions warrant it."
No comments:
Post a Comment