Mitchell Marsh Replaces Lee For ODI Series

Mitchell Marsh Replaces Lee For ODI Series

Shane Watson gestures during a training session ahead of the opening Twenty20 International. Mitchell Marsh will now stay on with the Australian squad as a replacement in the ODI squad for Brett Lee

©REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko (SOUTH AFRICA - Tags: SPORT CRICKET) Picture Supplied by Action Images

Uncapped all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has been added to Australia's One-Day International squad in South Africa as a replacement for Brett Lee.

Lee will miss the entire tour, which begins with two Twenty20 Internationals, after he was diagnosed with appendicitis and will return home following successful surgery in Cape Town.

Marsh was originally named in just the Twenty20 squad but he will now remain in South Africa for the three ODIs, which will be played in Pretoria, Port Elizabeth and Durban.

"Due to the unfortunate illness to Brett Lee, the NSP has decided that Mitchell Marsh will replace Brett Lee in the one-day squad for the VB Tour of South Africa," National Selection Panel (NSP) chairman Andrew Hilditch said.

"Mitchell is a very exciting young all-rounder who we consider has the ability to have a significant impact at international level.

"He played extremely well during the recent Australia A tour of Zimbabwe and is a pace bowler who has the ability to bat in the top six, providing great balance and flexibility to the squad.

"The one-day squad already has four specialist fast bowlers in Doug Bollinger, Mitchell Johnson, James Pattinson and Patrick Cummins so the NSP did not consider it necessary to replace Brett with a specialist fast bowler.

"Mitchell was very close to selection in the one-day squad when it was initially picked and Brett’s unfortunate illness has provided a great opportunity for him to gain further experience at the international level."

Marsh joins elder brother Shaun in the ODI squad after both players were named in the Twenty20 International squad.

Tour Schedule

Australia Twenty20 International squad: Cameron White (captain), Shane Watson (vice-captain), Doug Bollinger, Patrick Cummins, Aaron Finch, David Hussey, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Stephen O'Keefe, James Pattinson, Steven Smith, Matthew Wade, David Warner

Australia One-Day International squad: Michael Clarke (captain), Shane Watson (vice-captain), Doug Bollinger, Patrick Cummins, Xavier Doherty, Brad Haddin, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, James Pattinson, Ricky Ponting, Steven Smith, David Warner

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