One look at the type of pitches being prepared by hosts Pakistan has convinced Australia to fight fire with fire and draft another spinner into their one-day squad.
Left-arm tweaker Xavier Doherty is heading to Dubai to join skipper George Bailey’s squad as a replacement for Mitchell Marsh.
Pace-bowling allrounder Marsh has resumed light jogging after suffering a hamstring injury last week, but has been officially ruled out of the one-day series against Pakistan.
The first match of the three-game series is on Tuesday in Sharjah. Doherty is expected to train with the side on Thursday ahead of Friday’s game two in Dubai. The final match of the series is in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
Marsh is working towards proving his fitness for a possible Test debut in Dubai on October 22, which will be preceded by a four-day game against Pakistan A in Sharjah starting on October 15.
“The team’s medical staff have now confirmed that Mitchell Marsh will not take part in any of the ODI series following his hamstring injury,” Australia’s chief selector Rod Marsh said on Tuesday.
“As selectors we have decided to replace him with Xavier for this component of the tour.
“The pitch on Sunday night during the T20 International turned significantly and there is a strong chance we will encounter these conditions during the rest of this series.”
Rod Marsh noted Doherty performed well for the Hobart Hurricanes in the Champions League T20 which was completed in India last weekend.
Doherty claimed seven wickets at an average of 14.42 in four matches in the Champions League including a best of 4-27.
Australia won Sunday’s T20 game in Dubai by six wickets. Offspinner Glenn Maxwell took the new ball for Australia and claimed 3-13, while debutant leggie Cameron Boyce grabbed 2-10 off four overs.
XAVIER DOHERTY’S KEY NUMBERS
* Age: 31
* Bowls: left-arm orthodox
* State team: Tasmania
* ODI matches: 54
* ODI record: 51 wickets at 38.96
* Most-recent ODI appearance: Jan 26 2014 v England in Adelaide
* Tests: 4 (Nov 2010 to March 2013)
* T20 Internationals: 11 (Feb 2012 to Oct 2013)
* Champions League record in 2014: 7-101 in 4 matches, average 14.42.
