Finch explains the Aussie XI, which supports the “all-terrain” side.
Australia have made it clear they mean business in the Dettol ODI series against Zimbabwe, with several big names returning to the game for the opener in Townsville on Sunday.
Captain Aaron Finch today confirmed an almost full squad, with the hosts welcoming back a number of players absent from the final match in Sri Lanka in June, including Adam Zampa who missed the tour due to the birth of their first son, Eugene.
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
Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis and Mitchell Starc are the other key inclusions from their most recent outing, with Pat Cummins rested and Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis and Matthew Kuhnemann making way.
Finch also confirmed a reshuffle of Australia’s ODI batting line-up with wicketkeeper Alex Carey elevated to No.4, Smith taking the No.3 position and Mitch Marsh sliding from three to six.
Finch said Labuschagne’s omission was due to a new set-up they want to try that offers greater batting depth and more bowling options.
“The reasoning behind Marnus (missing out) 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 over the next little while.
“We don’t want to pigeonhole ourselves into playing in a particular team structure.”
Among the structural tweaks are Smith moving back to No.3, a move Finch called “a no-brainer,” and Carey moving up to No.4.
From the back: Gilchrist hits Zimbabwe with best ODI knock
“(Carey’s) versatility is really important,” Finch said.
“What we’ve seen with Zimbabwe’s structure is that they do a lot of spin through the middle, 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.”
Zimbabwe, who have not faced Australia in this format since 2014, will not be at their best with injuries to key players including captain Craig Ervine, opener Tendai Chatara and spinner Wellington Masakadza.
However, all-rounder Sikandar Raza has been in the form of his life, hitting two centuries against Bangladesh and one against India in the last month.
Finch said he had spent extra time preparing to face Raza, who has scored 615 one-day international runs this calendar year, the fourth-highest by any player in Test-playing nations.
Aussies open Dettol ODI series with beach cricket
“He’s been in great nick, especially in his last 15 games, he’s got a few hundreds,” Finch said.
“He’s probably the real strength of their middle order. He’s been the really consistent one who’s bowled really well and (then) also bowled his off-spin.
“There’s a lot of plans there. We think our pace and our spin group have all the resources available.”
While Zimbabwe stand-in captain Regis Chakabva did not give any hints about his team’s XI on Saturday, he predicted that the slower players would play a big role in Sunday’s clash.
“Practising in the nets yesterday, the wickets did a bit for the spinners, so it will be interesting to see what the middle wickets will do,” he said.
“Spin can be a big part of our setup.”
Tomorrow’s match will be the first of 17 one-day internationals for Australia ahead of the 2023 ODI World Cup in India in October-November next year, while Zimbabwe have 15 before the 50+ event.
Men’s Dettol 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 squad: 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 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 Nyauzachi, Sikandar Williams.
Buy #AUSvZIM tickets here