Australia rest David Warner and Usman Khawaja ahead of India tour
Monday 23 January 2017 06:54, UK
Top order batsman David Warner and Usman Khawaja will miss Australia's one-day Chappell-Hadlee series in New Zealand in order to rest and prepare for next month's tour of India.
Warner, who scored a century in leading Australia to an 86-run victory over Pakistan in Sydney on Sunday, will take a complete break, while Khawaja is to head to Dubai for a pre-tour training camp.
Shaun Marsh and Aaron Finch have been recalled to the side to replace the pair.
"David has had a very big summer and will benefit from a break in cricket, both mentally and physically," interim chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said in a statement.
"He will travel to Dubai in the second group of departures to coincide with those players arriving from the one-day series in New Zealand.
"This gives Aaron an opportunity to return to the side. His form in the Big Bash League has been very good and he has earnt his recall.
"With Usman heading to Dubai in the first group of players this provides Shaun with a chance to get back into international cricket following his injury earlier in the summer."
The Chappell-Hadlee one-day series begins on January 30 in Auckland, before matches in Napier on February 2 and Hamilton on February 5.
Khawaja will leave for Dubai on January 30, while Warner will not join the team in the UAE until February 5.
The first match of the four-test series in India starts in Pune on February 23.
Australia squad: Steve Smith (captain), Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, James Faulkner, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa.
