Left-Arm Spinner Doherty Called Up By Australia

Left-Arm Spinner Doherty Called Up By Australia

Ricky Ponting returns to lead the side having missed the series in India

©Action Images / Carl Recine Livepic

Australia have handed a One-Day International call-up to Tasmania left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty ahead of the three-match series with Sri Lanka, which begins on 3rd November.

Along with Doherty's first call-up, Ricky Ponting, Mitchell Johnson and Shane Watson return having been rested for the ODI series in India while Brad Haddin and Peter Siddle return from injury.

David Warner, Tim Paine and Callum Ferguson miss out having travelled to India during the 1-0 series defeat.

With an eye on the Ashes to come, Nathan Hauritz will miss the opening match - with Doherty therefore likely to make his debut - in order to be made available to play first-class cricket for New South Wales.

“The selection of this One-day squad marks the start of a very important summer of One-day cricket for the Australian side as it continues its preparation for the ICC Cricket World Cup in the Indian subcontinent," National Selection Panel Chairman Andrew Hilditch explained.

“The squad sees the return of Ricky Ponting and Shane Watson after missing the Indian One-day series and also the return of Brad Haddin from injury.

“Unfortunately this has meant that both David Warner and Callum Ferguson who were in India with for the One-day series have not been selected.

"This makes way for the return of several of our key batsmen.

"It is a pity neither player got an opportunity in India due to the weather, but both players will return to interstate cricket and look to score plenty of runs and press for selection during the summer.

“We have several key fast bowlers out of the side at present with injury, but this does create a great opportunity for several or our young fast bowlers in Mitchell Starc, John Hastings and Clint McKay to continue to gain experience on the international stage.

“Xavier Doherty richly deserves his chance after several impressive seasons for Tasmania.

"His interstate One-day performances saw him make the Australia A side this year and he has again started this season impressively.

"A left-arm finger spinner could be important during the World Cup campaign and we are confident Xavier will perform very well if the opportunity presents itself.

“Nathan Hauritz will miss the first one day game of the series to allow him to be available for selection for the Weet-Bix Sheffield Shield match at the Gabba starting on the 31st October.

"This is seen as the best preparation for Nathan ahead of a very busy summer, which includes the Vodafone Ashes Series and culminates in the ICC Cricket World Cup.”

Doherty has played 85 one-day games in his career to date, taking 103 wickets at an average of 28.91 and an economy rate of 4.60.

In September 2008, Doherty was part of Australia's A squad which played against India A and New Zealand A in a three-team tournament in India, where he took seven wickets in the four matches he played.

Following the Twenty20 International on 31st October, the three ODIs will be played in Melbourne, on 3rd November, in Sydney on 5th and in Brisbane on 7th.

Australia ODI squad: Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke (vice-captain), Xavier Doherty, Brad Haddin, John Hastings, Nathan Hauritz, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Marsh, Clint McKay, Peter Siddle, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Shane Watson, Cameron White