AUS vs WI: Steve Smith Named Captain Of ODI Side; Lance Morris Earns First Call Up

Steve Smith has been named captain as Australia announced a 13-member squad for the three-match ODI series against the West Indies, starting from February 2 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Smith, who also won the race to take David Warner's opening slot in the Test series, will lead the ODI side in the absence of regular skipper Pat Cummins, who is among the four quicks that will be rested after the 2-Tests series against the Caribbean side.

Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and all rounder Mitchell Marsh, who all featured in the 3-Test series against Pakistan, and are likely to play in the two Tests against West Indies, will get a much deserved rest.

This has led to Lance Morris, who failed to break into the Test playing 11, earn his first ODI call up, while the likes of Matt Short, Aaron Hardie, Jhye Richardson and Nathan Ellis have also been recalled.

All-rounder Marcus Stoinis was surprisingly left out of the ODI side, while Alex Carey, who lost his place during Australia's victorious World Cup campaign, was also ignored as Josh Inglis keeps his place as the wicketkeeper-batter.

Apart from the aforementioned names, Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, Adam Zampa, Cameron Green, Marnus Labuschagne and Sean Abbott are the ODI World Cup-winning stars that have retained their place in the ODI set up.

"It is a little over 12 months until the Champions Trophy and further opportunities for the likes of Aaron Hardie, Matt Short, Jhye Richardson, and Nathan Ellis will be valuable both to our ongoing improvement as a team and also further their personal experiences in ODI cricket," Chair of selectors George Bailey said in a statement.

"The squad strikes a balance between players continuing to make their mark on international cricket, playing alongside some of our most experienced players with an eye to the future in this format."

Australia ODI Squad vs West Indies 2024

Steve Smith (captain), Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head (vice captain), Josh Inglis (wicketkeeper), Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson, Matt Short, Adam Zampa.