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Starc out of Australia’s ODI and T20 squads for India tour

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Australian cricket star Mitch Starc

MITCHELL Starc will miss Australian cricket team’s upcoming tour of India due to fitness concerns.

The left-arm paceman’s name was nowhere to be seen when Cricket Australia released its ODI and Twenty20 squads on Friday afternoon.

Replacing him in the shortest format is the uncapped Jason Behrendorff, who has starred for Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League over several years.

“Jason has been a stand out performer for the Scorchers for a number of seasons and deserves his chance at this level,” said national selector Mark Waugh.

John Hastings, Chris Lynn and James Pattinson are also out through injury, leaving room for a pair of forgotten allrounders.

Consistent contributions with both bat and ball on the domestic circuit sees Dan Christian named in the T20 squad after more than three years away from the international arena.

“Dan is a very experienced allrounder who can be a very dangerous batsman,” said Waugh.

“He had a solid IPL season this year and we believe his bowling will be well suited to the conditions we will face in India.”

James Faulkner – man of the match in Australia’s victory in the 2015 Cricket World Cup final – was axed from the central contract list earlier this year.

The fiery Tasmanian gets another opportunity on the back of his vast experience in the Indian Premier League T20 competition.

“James Faulkner is a solid one-day campaigner and is very familiar with subcontinent conditions, coming off a very good tour of Sri Lanka last year,” said head selector Trevor Hohns.

“We hope that he will take his chance in returning to the one-day side.”

Another notable inclusion is Nathan Coulter-Nile.

Injury has plagued the West Australian speedster in recent years, but the selectors are keen to see what he can do on the big stage.

“Nathan brings raw pace to the side with good variation,” said Hohns.

“It is great to see him back from injury and we are hopeful he will have a big impact in this series.”

Tim Paine will keep wicket on the Twenty20 leg of the tour, which is scheduled to commence in September.

Australia ODI squad: Steve Smith (C), David Warner (VC), Ashton Agar, Hilton Cartwright, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Patrick Cummins, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa.

Australia T20 squad: Steve Smith (C), David Warner (VC), Jason Behrendorff, Dan Christian, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Patrick Cummins, Aaron Finch, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Glenn Maxwell, Tim Paine, Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa.

Australia short favourites for 2017 Ashes series

It was only a few weeks ago that cricket fans were unsure whether or not there would be an Ashes series this summer.

However, the recent resolution of the pay dispute between Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers’ Association has restored confidence in Steve Smith’s side.

Back at work once more, the Aussies are short-priced favourites at -175.44 in the series betting at Sportsbet.com.au.

The online bookmaker rates England a +200 chance to upset their hosts, while the draw is paying outsider odds of +650.

Those prices are considerably tighter when considering who will end up with the famous urn.

The Brits are +125 to at least halve the series and retain the Ashes, with Australia -163.93 to win outright and regain them.

A 3-2 result to the Baggy Green (+550) is the top option in the correct score market.

2017 Ashes outright betting

Australia – -175.44
Draw – +650
England – +200

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