Image Credit- CA
With Australia’s white-ball selection process
continuing, Aaron Hardie lost out on a chance to strengthen his case for the
T20 World Cup after being forced to withdraw from the New Zealand series due to
a minor calf ailment. Spencer Johnson was called into action at the last
minute.
After Marcus Stoinis was ruled out due to a back injury on Friday, Hardie was
added to the team for the three-match series that begins in Wellington on
Wednesday. He did not travel with the team on Saturday because he was competing
in the Sheffield Shield match between Tasmania and Western Australia in Hobart.
He was scheduled to depart for Wellington on Monday
morning, which meant he would miss the fourth day of the Shield match. However,
on the second day, he felt tightness in his calf while bowling and was referred
for a scan.
Although it is acknowledged that the first scan did not show any damage, he was
removed from the New Zealand series and kept off the pitch on day three as a
precaution. Adam Voges, the coach of WA, stated that he is willing to bat on
the last day if needed.
On Sunday evening, Cricket Australia declared that
Johnson will be included in the team. Due to his first child’s birth, vice
captain and wicketkeeper Matthew Wade has been in Hobart for a few extra days,
therefore Australia will be without him for the first game of the series. He
should be available for Friday and Saturday’s second and third Twenty20
Internationals in Auckland.
Nathan Ellis is recuperating from a rib ailment, and
Matthew Short is also making a comeback after a little hamstring strain. In
Australia’s T20 fast bowling rankings, he trails Mitchell Starc, Josh
Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins. All three are expected to participate in the New
Zealand series after taking a full or partial break during the West Indies
series. Ellis is optimistic that he can secure a spot in Australia’s 15-man
World Cup roster.