Spin role adds intrigue to ODI squad

The identity of Australia's next ODI spinner is set to be revealed on Wednesday when the squad for the limited overs component of the Qantas Tour of the British Isles in announced.

It's expected the vast majority of Australia's Ashes squad will be missing from the upcoming five-match series against England, which is preceded by a clash with Ireland in Belfast.

One of the main question marks is whether one of Ashton Agar, Adam Zampa or Cameron Boyce will be called in.

Watch: Agar takes five in victory over India A

Allrounder Glenn Maxwell was used as the side's main tweaker for all but one game of Australia’s victorious World Cup campaign earlier this year.

But with four years to prepare before Australia's title defence in England in 2019, selectors have time to trial a new frontline spinner.

Conditions in the late UK summer coupled with rejigged ODI rules, which now allow five fielders on the rope in the final 10 overs, means spin is expected to play an important role over the next month.

Agar, Zampa and Boyce - who are currently in India with Australia A - are three spinners in the frame.

Agar, who made a memorable Test debut during the 2013 Ashes, was added to the national squad prior to this year's SCG Test against India.

The 21-year-old wasn't picked, but has bowled strongly in India after returning from shoulder surgery.

Zampa has yet to make his international debut but impressed with four wickets against India A last week and also posted a composed half-century in the A side's three-wicket win on Monday. 

Watch: Zampa takes four in thumping win

Boyce, who made his Twenty20 debut in 2014, took 2-34 from 10 overs in his only match in India so far.

"We always talk to each other in the nets. We've all got a pretty good relationship with each other," Agar said after a five-wicket haul in Chennai on Monday.

"We get along quite well and talk spin bowling all the time.

"The spinners who are playing the games talk to each other about what the wicket's doing, what they think might work, what they think won't work.

"We work as a team and try to bowl in partnerships."

Several other members of the A squad are in the frame for a call-up, notably Usman Khawaja and James Pattinson, who have impressed following a long absence due to injury.

Watch: Khawaja, Burns find form in big victory

'A' squad pacemen Nathan Coulter-Nile and Gurinder Sandhu also have solid claims, as does Pat Cummins, who is already in the UK having replaced the injured Ryan Harris in the Test squad.

News Corp reported on Tuesday that Test quicks Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are set to be rested from the series after a draining Ashes campaign.

Joe Burns also put his name forward with a stunning innings of 154 against India A last week, opener Aaron Finch is expected to return having had a torrid year so far with injury while Matthew Wade is the leading contender to take over from wicketkeeper Brad Haddin following the veteran's retirement from ODI cricket.

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