IND vs AUS: Peter Siddle returns after 8 years as Australia name squad for India ODIs

IND vs AUS: Usman Khawaja is also making a comeback to the side after almost 2 years along with Nathan Lyon.

Australian speedster Peter Siddle is set to make his ODI comeback after a long break of 8 years as Cricket Australia announced a 14-member side on Friday for the upcoming 3-match series against India. Besides Siddle, Usman Khawaja is also returning to the side after almost 2 years along with Nathan Lyon.

The selectors have decided to rest the pace trio – Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins following their hectic schedule in the 4-match Test series. In their absence, Jhye Richardson, Jason Behrendorff, Peter Siddle and Billy Stanlake will regulate the pace unit in the squad.

“After a hefty workload in the Indian series to date, it has been decided not to select Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood in this squad to allow them to freshen up for the Test series against Sri Lanka," chief selector Trevor Hohns said.

Australia have also recalled Peter Handscomb and Mitchell Marsh to boost their ODI team this year. While Marsh has been in and out of the side, Handscomb's last ODI was in India during their 2017 October tour.

Squad:

Aaron Finch (c), Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Marcu Stoinis, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, Jhye Richardson, Billy Stanlake, Jason Behrendorff, Peter Siddle, Nathan Lyon, Adam Zampa.

Siddle last represented Australia in an ODI back in 2010 against Sri Lanka. If he gets to play against India in the series, he will set the record for the longest break between two ODIs for an Australian player. Former Aussie wicketkeeper Tim Zoehrer currently holds the record who had a break of six years and 282 days.

On the other hand, Khawaja last played an ODI for Australia back in 2017 against Pakistan while Lyon’s last outing was in England in June 2018.

Here’s the schedule of the 3-match India vs Australia ODI series

1st ODI: January 12, SCG (D/N)

2^nd ODI: January 15, Adelaide Oval (D/N)

3^rd ODI: January 18, MCG (D/N)