MELBOURNE: Cricket Australia (CA) on Monday, announced a 14-member squad for the three-match home ODI series against Pakistan.

Reigning world champions will be without Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh as both key players will be on paternity leave. The duo has been replaced by Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matthew Short, who are likely to open the innings together. Furthermore, all-rounder Cameron Green has been sidelined from Australia’s 14-member squad for the ODI series against Pakistan as he is set to undergo a back injury. However, Pat Cummins, who was absent from Australia’s recent white-ball tours to England and Scotland, has returned to the side and will captain the world champions for the first time since leading them to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 glory. Furthermore, all-rounder Marcus Stoinis has also been recalled to the squad after being left out of the away series against England. Rising youngsters Cooper Connolly and Aaron Hardie have also been named in the squad.

Australia’s chief selector George Bailey termed the upcoming series “crucial” for the preparation of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan in February-March next year. The highly-anticipated series between Pakistan and Australia will get underway on November 4 with the first ODI scheduled to be played in Melbourne. The remaining two ODIs will be played on November 8 and 10 in Adelaide and Perth.