Australia head coach Darren Lehmann has confirmed that he will hand debuts to three new fast bowlers in the five-match ODI series against South Africa, starting from September 30 at the Super Sport Park.
Mitchell Starc, who is recovering from deep shin injury, was decided to be rested while Josh Hazlewood is also being sat out.
James Faulkner and Nathan Coulter-Nile were also ruled out due to their respective injuries while Pat Cummins and James Pattinson are recovering from long-term injuries.
Given the long list of absent senior bowlers, Lehmann decided to give chance to Joe Mennie, Daniel Worrall and Chris Tremain, none of whom have worn the national colours at this level.
The coach admitted that they need to do turnover in their ODI set up in order to give rest to Test players ahead of the three-match series.
"The great thing is it gives them (new players) a chance at this next level, so we've had someone like Travis Head come in and do really well for us, and the bowlers chop and change a bit," Lehmann was quoted as saying by Sport24.
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Defending the decision to rest Starc and Hazlewood, Lehmann said keeping in mind the busy schedule the pacer have had this year and the upcoming Test series against South Africa in November, an ODI series was the perfect time to rest them.
"There's obviously good reasons why we don't bring Starc and Hazlewood here. We're playing you in a Test series and we want to give them a break," he said.
Insisting that his side have got some really good young fast bowlers in the squad, Lehmann insisted that he is hopeful to see these players making a name for themselves.
"It's a great challenge for our young guys, they're good young players and they'll go well. We're hoping they step up and I'm sure they will," he said.
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