Melbourne: Brought in for a game originally but retained after a strong show, Australian pacer John Hastings says there is scope for him to again make the XI in the third ODI against India as the hosts mull playing three seamer allrounders on Sunday.
Australia lead the five-match series 2-0 after notching up comfortable victories at Perth and Brisbane, leaving India in a must-win situation ahead of the match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The 30-year-old Hastings had replaced the resting Mitchell Marsh after the first ODI at Perth. While the returning Marsh is expected to walk into the XI tomorrow, Hastings has put up a strong case for himself by taking one for 46 from eight overs yesterday on a pitch offering very little to the quick bowlers.
“James Faulkner has got a really unique skill-set, Mitch Marsh has got another unique skill-set, and I offer something different as well. I think there’s definitely scope for it. I think it can work,” Hastings said.
“There’s a lot of injuries in Australian cricket,” he said. Hastings said Australia’s bowlers deserved credit for restricting India to 75 runs for the loss of six wickets in their last 10 overs at the Gabba.
