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Hastings called into ODI squad

Victorian brought into ODI squad for Brisbane ODI while Mitch Marsh is rested

Victorian allrounder John Hastings has been called into the Australian one-day squad in place of Mitch Marsh for the second match of the Victoria Bitter ODI Series against India at the Gabba on Friday.

Marsh will be given the match off ahead of Sunday's third ODI in Melbourne.

"Mitch is a tremendous asset to Australian cricket and we are conscious of managing his workload and his travel, especially with so much cricket to come during the rest of this summer and beyond," National Selector Rod Marsh said.

"By taking this decision we have opted to give him an extra day at home in Perth after match one, before he flies to Melbourne on Thursday to prepare for Sunday’s third match of the series.

"In John Hastings we have a high-quality replacement, a player who has been in excellent form for the Melbourne Stars in the ongoing KFC Big Bash League (BBL)

"John also showed his quality with a match-winning spell of 3-21 in the decisive One-Day International of the series against England in Manchester in September, so we know what he can do if called upon." 

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Hastings' call-up means the Melbourne Stars will be without their leading wicket-taker for their important clash with the Brisbane Heat at the MCG on Thursday evening.

The Stars' hopes of securing a home semi-final rest on beating the Heat, before toppling the Perth Scorchers on their home turf on Saturday.

Marsh said at this stage, Hastings would be with the Australian squad for one match, "but should we suffer any injuries to our bowlers in either Perth or Brisbane then we may look at retaining his services for longer."

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If Hastings is not needed for Sunday's third ODI, he may be available for the Stars’ showdown with the Scorchers.

Hastings earned a surprise recall to the Australian one-day side in England last year, stepping in after injuries to Shane Watson and Nathan Coulter-Nile. 

He made the most of the opportunity – his first in 50-over cricket in four years - spearheading Australia to a series victory in Manchester with figures of 3-21.