Australia leave out Lynn for CT opener

Australia have sprung a selection surprise for their Champions Trophy opener against New Zealand, leaving out six-hitting sensation Chris Lynn in favour of allrounder Moises Henriques at Edgbaston.

Despite only making his one-day international debut last summer, Lynn had widely been tipped to slot into Australia’s middle-order for the showpiece 50-over event on the back of his Big Bash exploits.

But selectors have instead gone for Henriques, as Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson won the toss and opted to bat first in Birmingham.

As forecasted yesterday by captain Steve Smith, Australia have resisted the temptation to unleash the ‘Big Four’ fast bowlers, instead opting for crafty paceman John Hastings over his Victorian teammate James Pattinson.

Speedster Mitchell Starc, returning from a foot injury, will lead a bowling attack also featuring Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins.

Off-spinning allrounders Travis Head and Glenn Maxwell are the slow-bowling options, with no room in the XI for leggie Adam Zampa.

Powerful opener Aaron Finch, who struck a century in Australia’s warm-up match against Sri Lanka, has been given the nod to partner vice-captain David Warner at the top of the order.

Smith is listed to bat at first drop, with Henriques, Head and Maxwell forming the nucleus of the middle-order.

There was also no spot in the side for allrounder Marcus Stoinis, who produced one of the greatest performances in Australian ODI history earlier this year, when he stunned the Black Caps with a three-wicket haul and a magnificent 146 at Eden Park in just his second match.

New Zealand have opted for a five-man pace-attack, while Tom Latham, the Black Caps' captain for their most recent ODI, has been dropped.

Champions Trophy 2017 Guide

AUSTRALIA SQUAD: Steve Smith (c), David Warner, Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, John Hastings, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell, James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa

Other squads: Every Champions Trophy squad

Schedule

1 June – England beat Bangladesh by eight wickets

2 June – Australia v New Zealand, Edgbaston (D)

3 June – Sri Lanka v South Africa, The Oval (D)

4 June – India v Pakistan, Edgbaston (D)

5 June – Australia v Bangladesh, The Oval (D/N)

6 June – England v New Zealand, Cardiff (D)

7 June – Pakistan v South Africa, Edgbaston (D/N)

8 June – India v Sri Lanka, The Oval (D)

9 June – New Zealand v Bangladesh, Cardiff (D)

10 June – England v Australia, Edgbaston (D)

11 June – India v South Africa, The Oval (D)

12 June – Sri Lanka v Pakistan, Cardiff (D)

14 June – First semi-final (A1 v B2), Cardiff (D)

15 June – Second semi-final (A2 v B1), Edgbaston (D)

18 June – Final, The Oval (D)

19 June – Reserve day (D)