Victorian allrounder Glenn Maxwell will make his international debut when Australia take on Afghanistan in Saturday’s one-day clash in Sharjah.
The dashing strokeplayer and off-spinner, 23, was named in the team alongside frontline spinner Xavier Doherty for a game where Australian skipper Michael Clarke expects spin to play a key role.
Clarke has promoted himself one spot to No.3 in the batting order, while wicketkeeper Matthew Wade and vice-captain David Warner will open the innings.
Allrounder Dan Christian will carry the drinks and others in the 15-man squad to miss out on selection are batsman Callum Ferguson, allrounder Steven Smith and young quick Alister McDermott.
It’s a huge moment for Afghanistan, who have played only one other ODI against a full-member nation, having lost to Pakistan by seven wickets in February.
For Clarke, it’s a chance to get his side back into gear ahead of their three-match ODI series against Pakistan starting on Tuesday in Sharjah.
It’s Australia’s first hit-out since their 4-0 ODI series defeat against England last month.
“When we left England we were still the No.1-ranked team in the world,” Clarke said on Friday.
“Because of other teams playing, we’ve slipped back down to four.
“But to me it’s about playing really good consistent cricket all around the world and I know we’ll get back to being No.1.”
Clarke said the pitch was very hard with no grass on it at all.
“As the game goes on there’ll probably be a little bit more spin,” he said.
“They (Afghanistan) know the conditions a lot better than we do.”
Afghanistan captain Nawroz Mangal says spin could be his side’s trump card on their home ground.
“We are working on our spinners a lot,” he said.
“This will be a huge moment for every single one of us, playing against the mighty Australians.”
The game is due to start at 6pm (2400 AEDT).
Australia team: Michael Clarke (capt), David Warner (vice-capt), Matthew Wade, Mike Hussey, David Hussey, George Bailey, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, James Pattinson, Xavier Doherty, Dan Christian (12th man).
