Melbourne, Feb 29: James Pattinson has been recalled to Australia's squad for the remainder of the tri-series at the expense of veteran paceman Ryan Harris.
The 21-year-old Pattinson has recovered from a foot injury which sidelined him during Australia's 4-0 test sweep of India last month. Pattinson has played only two limited-overs internationals, in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka last year, but his performances in the test arena — where has taken 25 wickets at 18.12 in four matches — has him being touted as a long-term international player.
"James Pattinson is fit again and after impressive recent form in a Futures League match in Adelaide, comes into the squad at expense of Ryan Harris, who has been dropped," chief selector John Inverarity said in a statement Tuesday.
Australia has already qualified for the tri-series finals, and will play Sri Lanka in the last league match on Friday. Michael Clarke, who received the Allan Border Medal on Monday night as Australia's player of the year, is likely to be fit to return after missing last weekend's win over India due to a sore back.
Selectors said Harris, who has taken 44 wickets at 18.9 in 21 ODIs, was dropped due to form but the 32-year-old fast bowler was still in contention for selection in the test squad for the West Indies tour in April.
Harris only made his international debut at the age of 29, but established himself quickly as a regular for Australia whenever injuries weren't confining him to the sidelines.
The preference to Pattinson continues a trend for selectors in recent weeks as they start building a team for the 2015 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. Ex-skipper Ricky Ponting was told last week that his services were no longer required in the limited-overs squad after 375 ODI matches, and Matthew Wade has been favored over veteran wicketkeeper Brad Haddin throughout this tri-series.
Squad: Michael Clarke (captain), Shane Watson (vice-captain), Dan Christian, Xavier Doherty, Peter Forrest, Ben Hilfenhaus, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Brett Lee, Clint McKay, James Pattinson, Matthew Wade, David Warner.
