Batsman Steve Smith has been left out of Australia’s first one-day international side to face South Africa at the WACA on Friday night.
With spots in Australia’s 2015 ODI World Cup side up for grabs, Smith is being rested in the first of five ODIs against the Proteas in favour of the returning Shane Watson while George Bailey, who has struggled recently with a middle-order batting position, has maintained his spot.
Despite being named last month’s man-of-the-series against Pakistan, Smith will receive some down time to make way for Shane Watson, returning from an ankle injury and making his first ODI appearance since facing England in Adelaide in January.
Smith copped a stinging knock from a Mitchell Johnson fast bowl at training on Wednesday, but made a Thursday appearance with the rest of the squad without any signs of protective wear on the reportedly injured hand.
Youngster Josh Hazlewood will also join Johnson and Nathan Coulter-Nile in Australia’s pace attack.
“I think we’ve probably got this series to give guys an opportunity if the selectors are still not certain on their 15,” captain Michael Clarke said on Thursday.
“I think the fact that we’ve only picked a team for two games here, and then the selectors will get together and pick another team for maybe two or three (games), I’m not really sure if they’re still looking at couple of positions.
“A couple of tough selections there from the selectors, a couple of tough decisions.
“As we know, we’ve got to play our best. We’re playing against a fantastic team and we have to be on top of our game to beat them. Hopefully we can start this really well tomorrow.”
As announced last month, wicketkeeper Matthew Wade will step in for a rested Brad Haddin.
Australian Squad For First Two ODIs v South Africa: David Warner, Aaron Finch, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke (captain), George Bailey, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Josh Hazlewood, Steve Smith (12th man)
Photo: Marwan Naamani/Getty Images.
