Former New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori has been brought in as Australia’s spin-bowling consultant for the upcoming white-ball series in Pakistan. The Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed this addition of the legendary Kiwi spinner to their coaching staff on Sunday.
Vettori is set to start working with the limited-overs squad in Melbourne this week before they all depart for Pakistan.
The ongoing three-Test series is level at 0-0 after draws in the first two Tests; the third Test started on Monday. The Test series will be followed by 3 ODIs and a one-off T20I, all to be played in Lahore. The ODIs will be played on March 29, 31, and April 2 with the lone T20I capping off the tour on April 5. This is Australia’s first tour to Pakistan in 24 years.
Initially, leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed was named as the spin-bowling consultant for the Australian team. However, with him testing positive for covid-19 earlier this month, his situation reportedly remains uncertain.
Daniel Vettori brings vast experience with him. The former Kiwi spinner snapped over 700 wickets in his stellar international career. Following retirement, he has been a regular coach for varied teams around the world, including having stints in the IPL, BPL, and The Hundred. He has been with the Bangladesh team from 2019 to 2021.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has moved the white-ball matches to Lahore, initially scheduled to be played in Rawalpindi.
“Pakistan and Australia cricket boards have mutually agreed to shift white-ball matches from Rawalpindi to Lahore on the dates as announced previously. The decision was made on Saturday morning following discussions between the two boards,” the PCB said in a release.
“Australia’s white-ball players, as originally planned, will arrive in Lahore on March 24 and after one-day room isolation, will integrate with other members of their side. Pakistan’s white-ball players are scheduled to assemble on March 22 and will resume training on March 25.”
Australia have rested the pace trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc as well as David Warner and Glenn Maxwell. These players barring Starc will fly to India for the IPL and will be available to play from April 6.
Australia’s white-ball squad for Pakistan tour: Aaron Finch (C), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Ben McDermott, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
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