Australia call up Lyon for one-day squad

Tri-series including Zimbabwe and South Africa to start August 25.

SYDNEY:

Spinner Nathan Lyon was Monday called up to Australia’s one-day squad for their tri-series against Zimbabwe and South Africa, with Ben Cutting, Kane Richardson and Mitchell Marsh also getting the nod.

Test star Lyon has not played a limited-overs international since March 2012 but has been working with Sri Lanka spin great Muttiah Muralitharan and was preferred to Xavier Doherty.

“Lyon has done very well in Test match cricket, but first came under notice through his performances in short form cricket,” said national selector Rod Marsh.

“He bowled well in last year’s [One Day] Cup competition and having not played an ODI since early 2012, the National Selection Panel is keen to see him in action again.”

The one-day series, which gets under way in Harare on August 25, will be the first time Australia has toured Zimbabwe since 2004.

It also signals the start of a busy summer for the national team led by Michael Clarke, which includes a possible 18 ODIs between now and the start of the Cricket World Cup in February 2015.

“This tri-series against Zimbabwe and South Africa is another important step in our preparation for the ICC Cricket World Cup early next year,” said Marsh.

“We have introduced a number of players into this squad who provide plenty of options with bat and ball.”

Fast-bowler Cutting earned his spot after some good recent form for Australia A while seamer Richardson has benefited from being taken under the wing of Mark Waugh.

All-rounder Marsh was also included in the 14-man squad, but there was no room for Phil Hughes, despite thrashing a double century for Australia A against South Africa A recently.

The squad will go into camp in Brisbane from August 16 before departing for Zimbabwe four days later.

The tour kicks off against Zimbabwe on August 25, followed by a clash with South Africa two days later, Zimbabwe again on August 31 and then South Africa on September 2.

All games are in Harare with the final on September 6.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 5^th, 2014.

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