Cricket Australia has opted to rest Josh Hazlewood from the first VB ODI against Pakistan at the Gabba on Friday
Hazlewood to miss first Pakistan ODI
Paceman Josh Hazlewood will be rested from the first one-day international against Pakistan in Brisbane on Friday.
Hazlewood has played all six Tests and three ODIs so far this summer, sending down a total of 300.1 overs in the process, while Mitchell Starc has bowled 292.2 overs.
Coach Darren Lehmann says the NSW quick is not carrying an injury, but it's been decided to give him some time off before he re-joins the squad for the second match in Melbourne on January 15.
"Josh has got through a heavy workload during the home summer so far and in the past two months he has sent down almost 300 overs across two Test series against South Africa and Pakistan, as well as three ODIs against New Zealand," Lehmann said.
"He’s not injured but we have decided to give him a week to freshen up at home and he will link up with the ODI squad in Melbourne ahead of the second match of the series, although if one of our other fast bowlers picks up an injury in the run-up to Friday’s first game at The Gabba then he could be called up to slot in."
The absence of Hazlewood increases the likelihood that Billy Stanlake will make his international debut at his home ground at the Gabba on Friday.
With Hazlewood to miss the series opener, Stanlake will likely battle with Starc, Pat Cummins, James Faulkner and spinner Adam Zampa for one of four frontline bowling spots available.
Hazlewood and Starc were rested for Australia's ODI series against South Africa last October, which the tourists lost 5-0.
Australia's decision to withdraw their two best bowlers from the series was criticised, but bowling coach David Saker recently said it allowed the pair to push through a heavy summer schedule at home.
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Australia ODI squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Pat Cummins, James Faulkner, Travis Head, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Chris Lynn, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa
Pakistan ODI squad: Azhar Ali (c), Sharjeel Khan, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Asad Shafiq, Umar Akmal, Mohammad Rizwan, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Hasan Ali, Rahat Ali, Mohammad Irfan, Sarfraz Ahmed, Mohammad Hafeez