Australia are not getting carried away with their series against Zimbabwe, starting in Townsville on Sunday.
Aaron Finch confirmed a close to full strength team for their first match against the African, who are touring Australia for the first time since 2003-04.
Finch will open alongside David Warner, while Steve Smith has also been included.
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Australia’s David Warner (R) and captain Aaron Finch will open the batting against Zimbabwe. Photo: AFPSource: AFP
Wicket-keeper Alex Carey has moved to second down with Australia opting for an all-round heavy middle order that includes Mitch Marsh, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell and Cameron Smith.
The decision meant that Marcus Labuschagne has missed out.
“The reasoning behind Marnus (losing) is that we’re just going with a very heavy side,” Finch told reporters on Saturday.
“Two quicks plus Zampa and Cameron Green as the genuine fourth bowler. And then using Marsh, Stoinis, Maxwell as our fifth bowler effectively.
“It’s a way to extend our batting, and I think it’s important that we continue to try to juggle the structure of the team for the next while.
“We don’t want to pigeonhole ourselves into playing in a particular team structure.”
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Finch highlighted Carey’s all-round strength and said he provided flexibility to the Australian team.
“(Carey’s) versatility is very important,” Finch said.
“What we’ve seen with Zimbabwe’s structure is that they do a lot of spin through the middles, so we feel that’s a real strength of Alex.
“It’s also very important to be able to have the power of Stoinis, Marsh, Maxwell and Green at five, six, seven and eight.
“And we think that gives us the freedom as a hitting group to be aggressive as well.”
Australia XI for 1st ODI: Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Steve Smith, Alex Carey (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
Men’s ODI Series vs Zimbabwe
Sunday 28 August: Riverway Stadium, Townsville, 9.40am
Wednesday 31 August: Riverway Stadium, Townsville, 9.40am
Saturday September 3: Riverway Stadium, Townsville, 9.40am
Australia Team: Aaron Finch, Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa.
Zimbabwe National Team: Ryan Burl, Regis Chakabva (c), Bradley Evans, Luke Jongwe, Innocent Kaia, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tony Munyonga, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams.